911 Call Data v Police Recorded Data
We get this question all of the time from SpotCrime users - what is the different between call data and police recorded ? Here's a brief explanation of the two.
911 Call Data
Departments across the country have different names for 911 call data. It can range from ‘911 call data’ to ‘calls for service’ to ‘CAD data’ and many more. 911 call data includes any data pulled from a department’s CAD (Computer Aided Dispatch) system. Typical CAD companies used by departments include Intergraph, Spillman, SunGard, Tiburon, USA-Software, and New World Systems.
911 call data includes any call into a police department that requires action by an officer. It is the raw, immediate data that represents the first record of an incident. Many police departments - like Dallas, Tulsa, Columbus, San Antonio, Hillsborough County, and Tampa (to name a few) - have started to release their CAD data in an open feed format available to the public.
A benefit of 911 call data is that it is a fast representation of actual police incidents that have been handled by the department. It is real-time crime data. However, because the speed of processing the incident is so quick, the accuracy of the incident may be compromised (i.e. the exact location of a shooting).
Police Recorded Data
Police recorded data is data that is entered into the department’s RMS (Records Management System) at a later time. A lot of companies that create CAD systems also make software for RMS. Some typical RMS used by departments are Niche, SunGard, Spillman, Tiburon, and Enforsys.
The RMS holds police recoded data that covers the entire life span of an incident - from when it was generated to when the case was closed. Police recorded data takes longer to process and release than 911 call data. However, the police recorded data is often much more accurate than 911 data because it is validated and updated throughout the life of an incident.
A lot of police departments use police recorded data to create reports called tactical data. Tactical data is very useful for departments to determine where to allocate their resources and it helps them make better decisions about policing.
Don’t see your city on the map? Ask your department to send SpotCrime their 911 call data or police recorded data. If they send us data, we will map it for free.
Stay aware, stay safe.
911 Call Data
Departments across the country have different names for 911 call data. It can range from ‘911 call data’ to ‘calls for service’ to ‘CAD data’ and many more. 911 call data includes any data pulled from a department’s CAD (Computer Aided Dispatch) system. Typical CAD companies used by departments include Intergraph, Spillman, SunGard, Tiburon, USA-Software, and New World Systems.
911 call data includes any call into a police department that requires action by an officer. It is the raw, immediate data that represents the first record of an incident. Many police departments - like Dallas, Tulsa, Columbus, San Antonio, Hillsborough County, and Tampa (to name a few) - have started to release their CAD data in an open feed format available to the public.
A benefit of 911 call data is that it is a fast representation of actual police incidents that have been handled by the department. It is real-time crime data. However, because the speed of processing the incident is so quick, the accuracy of the incident may be compromised (i.e. the exact location of a shooting).
Police Recorded Data
Police recorded data is data that is entered into the department’s RMS (Records Management System) at a later time. A lot of companies that create CAD systems also make software for RMS. Some typical RMS used by departments are Niche, SunGard, Spillman, Tiburon, and Enforsys.
The RMS holds police recoded data that covers the entire life span of an incident - from when it was generated to when the case was closed. Police recorded data takes longer to process and release than 911 call data. However, the police recorded data is often much more accurate than 911 data because it is validated and updated throughout the life of an incident.
A lot of police departments use police recorded data to create reports called tactical data. Tactical data is very useful for departments to determine where to allocate their resources and it helps them make better decisions about policing.
Don’t see your city on the map? Ask your department to send SpotCrime their 911 call data or police recorded data. If they send us data, we will map it for free.
Stay aware, stay safe.
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