THE Garda Siochana is about to follow the world's financial institutions with a "big bang" information technology revolution.
The £36 million project will propel the Garda from the world of carbon typewriting paper and triplicate forms to the world of Window based workstations, UNIX box clusters and multi platform distribution systems. Two years of planning for the new paperless world of policing will be followed by a further two years of installing 1,400 computers in 200 stations around the State.
By the turn of the century, gardai will be able to call up details on the computer system of suspects from any part of the country and have instant access to information about the person's status. Theoretically, all information about a criminal from the amount of accumulated parking tickets to whether he or she is on parole will be instantly available throughout the network. The computer system will also include pictures of suspects.
On board computers in squad cars will have access to this information. The system will also provide gardai with maps and diagrams to help investigations.
The first £10 million phase of the contract was signed by the Minister for Justice, Mrs Owen, at Garda Headquarters yesterday, with Andersen Consulting. Mrs Owen said the system would reduce time spent on repetitive paper work and allow gardai to spend more time "on the street".
It would also give the force the technological edge on criminals who were, increasingly, making use of electronic technologies.
She said Government support for the project was evidence of its determination to "ensure that the Garda Siochana are geared to meeting the challenges facing them".
Andersen Consulting is overseeing the supply of software, consultancy and systems development in conjunction with Microsoft, Oracle, Computer Associates and PRC. The Garda side of the programme is being led by Chief Supt Eddie Cussin and Mr Tommy Quinn.