ONLINE FILE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR DRUG ENFORCEMENT AGENCY (A CASE STUDY OF NDLEA, IKOT EKPENE)

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.0 Introduction

This chapter is focused on the introduction to online file management system for drug enforcement agency. It presents the introduction, background of the study, statement of the problem, aim and objectives of the study, significance of the study, scope of the study, organization of the research and definition of terms.

1.1 Background of the Study

An online file management system for drug enforcement agency is a system that can enable drug enforcement officers to record crime information online and also utilize the system to investigate or to find out the perpetrators of a given crime based on past criminal records. An online file management system for drug enforcement agency can maintain a comprehensive database of crimes committed and it makes it very easy for the law enforcement agency to manage crime records (Gupta, 2012). This is possible because the database can be queried based on different criteria such as type of crime, surname of suspects etc. when a crime is committed, the law enforcement agency such as the NDLEA use the name of suspects to match with their criminal record database so as to get the address of suspects and other related information that will facilitate questioning. However, maintain crime information manually and attempting to carry out investigation without the computer system could be very hectic.

Technological advancement, especially online technology brings about development considering the fact that the computer system is fast and accurate. Data/information can be easily accessed online from any location. In addition, it can store large volume of information thereby eliminating the need to record information traditionally with flat files. Law enforcement agencies such as NDLEA, has recognized the benefits of the computer system and they have adopted it to facilitate their operations such as investigation of crimes. Information that would have ordinarily required much time can be achieved in few seconds using the computer system. It is very important that computers are applied in crime investigation as it will save time and make the job faster.

1.2 Statement of Problem

Law enforcement agencies such as NDLEA are faced with the following challenge of:

1. Accumulation of criminal flat files
2. Delay in obtaining crime information reports
3. Absence of an online system for managing crime information records.