Contact Handling System
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[edit] Contact Handling System
The Contact Handling System (CHS) is the software used for command and control within London's Metropolitan Police Service. It was introduced in 2004 as part of the C3I Programme, a major initiative to completely revamp the MPS's communications systems.
It was designed by Portrait Software to replace the Computer Assisted Despatch (CAD) program used by the MPS since 1984, which was proving unable to handle the increased call volumes (around 40000 calls per day of which 10000-15000 require a police response).[1] The system was based upon the existing Portrait ES Response software package.
It was intended that CHS be brought into place upon each OCU/BOCU's transfer to Metcall. However, the system proved unstable and incapable of dealing with high call volumes and the old CAD system was kept in place.[2] It is now intended that the two systems run in parallel until 2012.
CHS differs from the older CAD system and from systems used by other emergency services worldwide in that far more information can be input into the system by the CAD Operator and the information can be retrieved and sorted more easily. However, it has proven unpopular thus far with CAD Operators and Police Officers; operators consider it unnecessarily complicated to use, and police find CHS-derived information difficult to interpret, particularly via MDT terminal.
[edit] External links & references
- Metropolitan Police Service Central Communications Command
- Metropolitan Police homepage
- Portrait Software
- WMV file demonstrating Portrait ES Response in use — warning 4.5MB file
- Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary. "Metropolitan Police Service Baseline Assessment", HMIC, October 2006. Retrieved on January 3, 2007.
- Metropolitan Police. "Why Is Change Needed?", MPS website, undated but late 2006. Retrieved on January 3, 2007.
