Survey of computer aided dispatching (CAD)

The key elements of CAD systems are studied to assess the growing importance of digital techniques on the "dispatching" activity. This activity consists largely of communications from citizens in distress through a communications center and on to the appropriate Patrol "unit". The importance of the communication center "operator's" role in this communication link involving telephone two-way radio, and remote data communication must be visualized to understand today's dispatching process. The communications link must provide protection, or help, for any citizen in a "reasonable" time even though information is relayed through the operators. The ways are described in which CAD and closely related data communications are being added to the telephone and two-way radio communication links to enhance the "dispatching" operation. These additions are also seen to improve the availability of important information to officers operating field "units" for both emergency and routine investigation. Within this framework the importance of the role of data transmission in todays operations is estimated. Probably future trends of data enhancement in the dispatching/CAD environment for Public Safety are suggested and the impact upon system design and operation are glimpsed.