The Alabama Communications and Operations Portal (AlaCOP) is a statewide umbrella web portal that brings the entire criminal justice and homeland security enterprise within Alabama into a single common virtual community. This site allows all authorized members of the criminal justice community, from front line officers to state agency heads, to have an online world customized to their individual needs. Facilitating interpersonal communications, anyone within this community can easily communicate with any other member (or members) in a secure and official manner regardless of the size and status of their agency. Its dynamic criminal justice directory enables peer collaboration like never before. As the gateway to state criminal justice information systems, AlaCOP puts available information at the fingertips of law enforcement officers with the goal of protecting the public and law enforcement personnel while maximizing the ability to apprehend offenders. New and innovative technologies include:
- Advanced user interface techniques. AlaCOP exploits SharePoint technology capabilities to give users their own customized environment tailored down to the theme and content, making sure their site is both practical and enjoyable. This provides access to all criminal justice systems that are authorized for each user. Currently, with the exception of local and global AlaCOP announcements and Homeland Security-related information, the user can choose from more than 25 unique webparts (including general newsfeeds and weather). Agencies may create their own local announcements, and they are provided a private agency SharePoint team site only accessible by users from that agency.
- Complete and secure messaging capability. AlaCOP provides all users with an official .gov e-mail account, as well as access to a private and secure (non-email-based) Message Center (MC). The MC is similar to a discussion board, list-serve and email all in one. The MC is directory-driven, enabling all AlaCOP members to easily communicate with individuals or any subset of individuals. It also supports both open and closed discussion groups. Any member can easily create a group and thereby become its moderator. MC messages are quite secure, residing only on the AlaCOP server, and attachments are allowed.
- Standards based search and presentation. Most routine queries can be made just by entering the search parameter on a Google-like search bar, which parses the entry to determine the query type. Standard query entry templates are available for searches requiring more detailed specification. Results are presented in formats that match expectations using icons for visual cues wherever possible. Prior to this innovation officers would need to click several times to the appropriate query entry screen and then tab to the proper field prior to entering their query – often next to impossible in a high-pressure situation.
- Active-Directory driven security. A system called the Active Directory Authentication Processing Tool (ADAPT) has been built on top of Microsoft’s Active Directory to provide the tightest possible security, as well as ease of management for all entities and users of AlaCOP. This single sign-on concept with role-based user privileges enables all criminal justice users to be part of the community.
AlaCOP was designed, is maintained and operated by the Alabama Criminal Justice Information Center (ACJIC). ACJIC partnered with CRDL for assistance with this project.
Visit the site at: https://www.alacop.gov