Collections potentially constricted because of escalation of fines by legislature.
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Software ◦ eCitation mobile client installed in police vehicles ◦ eCitation server and middleware at the CRCOG
public safety data center ◦ CIB Host software provided Judicial backend
In-car equipment ◦ Existing mobile data computer ◦ Zebra thermal printer ◦ Optional bar code scanner
Commercial data communications network Citation forms – preprinted for use with the
Zebra printer
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234 printers 26 law enforcement agencies Assigned of a “per copita” basis Each printer has a cost of just over $600 Thermal preprinted paper forms provided by
the Judicial Department Training provided to one trainer and one
agency administrator in each participating agency
Feedback from pilot users
For each agency and for the entire region the following reports can be produced by any authorized user: ◦ Monthly by officer ◦ Monthly by violation type ◦ Monthly by location ◦ Day of week for any date range
A separate dataset for traffic enforcement is being established in the regional map based crime analysis system and will be available as a part of the mobile data system.
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Install equipment in vehicles Install eCitation mobile client software
including updated Bluelink Register the agency ORI with the eCitation
server software Test the system Train officers (must be authorized to use
CAPTAIN) Start …
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Presenter
Presentation Notes
After logon to CAPTAIN/Bluelink you will be able to use eCitation as long as the mobile workstation also has the citation printer installed. When you have confirmed the patrol vehicle is properly equipped and that official pre-printed Connecticut citation forms are available, you can begin using eCitation.
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Windows style Multiple inputs ◦ Keyboard ◦ Mouse or trackball ◦ Touchscreen
Data entry controls ◦ Specific format ◦ Picklists ◦ Checkboxes
Presenter
Presentation Notes
TIP: There are fundamental principles that apply to using ‘Windows style’ software. These need to be understood in order for you to become proficient using the software. For example, the cursor must be located in the field, and in some cases in the data position you want to edit, before you make the edits. If you are not familiar with the basic user interface standards of Windows style software, we recommend getting orientation and training on these topics before you begin using eCitation. Multiple methods to perform actions Keyboard alphanumeric keys are used for data entry and editing; the backspace and delete keys can be used to aid with editing data; Navigation keys such as tab, arrows, home, and end can be used to move between data fields or move the cursor within a data field Mouse or trackball – either of these is used to navigate the software screens and to make selections. For example, you can use the mouse to move from form to form or from field to field within a form. Touchscreen – if the computer is equipped with a touchscreen interface, you can utilize this to navigate the eCitation software. Depending on your computer you may ‘touch’ with your finger or with a stylus provided for this purpose.
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To Exit or Close Citation: To stop using the citation program and clear the screen, simply choose another application from the icon buttons along the top of the CAPTAIN screen.
Presenter
Presentation Notes
eCitation Main Menu After selecting eCitation from application icons across the top of the Bluelink display, the eCitation main menu will be presented. From this main menu, all the functions of eCitation can be accessed by choosing one of the primary function buttons.
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Button Description of this Function
New Citation Start and issue a new citation.
Citation Search The officer can find and recall Citations that he/she completed or ‘suspended’ during the current duty shift.
Print Citation Enables the officer to print (or reprint) a citation that the officer has electronically signed and saved.
User Preferences The officer can set the display color scheme for the eCitation application.
Clear Search Queues Used to clear the list of person or vehicle searches the officer initiated using CAPTAIN/Bluelink.
Presenter
Presentation Notes
To choose a function, use the computer mouse or touchscreen to place the cursor on the desired button. Then click or tap the button to activate the function you have chosen. This will open a form you can use to perform one or more tasks.
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Choose ‘New Citation’ from the main menu Complete data entry on five tabs or forms ◦ Demographics ◦ License/Vehicle ◦ Specifics ◦ Infractions/Fines ◦ Notes/Final
Preview the defendant’s copy Sign, save, and print
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Citation Numbers are requested from the eCitation server An automated request initiated when ‘new citation’ is selected When received, the new number is inserted into the citation data entry form New number request and return normally requires only a few seconds If no number is received, a new citation cannot be issued TIP: The most likely reason that new citation number is not available is a
failure in transmitting the request over the wireless communications network. In this case, the user should re-submit the request for a citation number and proceed when this is successful. If the problem is a system component failure, eCitation will not function until the problem is resolved.
Presenter
Presentation Notes
Citation Numbers: When the new citation function is selected a background request for a new citation number is submitted to the CRCOG eCitation server. This is an automated task that will occur without officer intervention, as long as the officer is ‘logged in’ to CAPTAIN and is an authorized user of the Citation system. The eCitation system controls the issue of the citation number from a pre-authorized batch of CT Judicial numbers. The new citation number will be electronically inserted into the new citation record and cannot be changed by the officer. TIP: The most likely reason that new citation number is not available is a failure in transmitting the request over the wireless communications network. In this case, the user should re-submit the request for a citation number and proceed when this is successful. If the problem is a system component failure, eCitation will not function until the problem is resolved.
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Data requirements are the same as with a paper citation.
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Presenter
Presentation Notes
Demographics Form The ‘Demographics’ form collects data about the occurrence and the violator or driver. All data fields should be filled. PD Case Number: If this citation is part of a case report that will be submitted to the agencies RMS, the case number should be entered by the officer. Date, time: For date and time, the officer can click the ‘Now’ button to have this inserted by the system, of it can be manually entered. Town and town code: This will be inserted by the system based on the profile of the officer that is logged into to CAPTAIN on the computer. Name, address, and descriptors of the violator or driver: this data may be manually entered by the driver or inserted from a CAPTAIN Inquiry results (see the TIP box below). Click on the ‘spyglass’ button to the left of the Reg. Number field. This will open a list of recent inquiry results. Select the vehicle you want by double-clicking on that item. If the inquiry data is inserted, the officer should review each field to verify it is complete and correct. If the query data is inserted, the officer should review each field to verify it is complete.
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TIP: Using Data from CAPTAIN Inquiry Results When entering data about the driver, the vehicle owner, and the vehicle; the officer has the option to request that data previously returned to a CAPTAIN inquiry be inserted into the citation form. The officer controls this action by choosing a person from a list of previous CAPTAIN queries. The available data items could include: -Driver detail – OLN, Name, DOB, Address, Race, and Sex
Presenter
Presentation Notes
Traffic Stops When the officer observes a potential infraction and a vehicle / offender is stopped there is an opportunity to save time later when the citation is prepared. If the officer submits queries through CAPTAIN to obtain information about person, vehicle and registration, and the results are returned to officer's mobile data computer, this data is temporarily saved on the mobile computer for use by eCitation. This enables the officer to electronically insert data returned from the Federal and State files into the new citation. Name, address, and descriptors of the violator or driver: this data may be manually entered by the driver or inserted from a CAPTAIN Inquiry results (see the TIP box below). Click on the ‘spyglass’ button to the left of the ‘Name’ field. This will open a list of recent inquiry results. Select the name you want by double-clicking on that item. If the inquiry data is inserted, the officer should review each field to verify it is complete and correct. If the query data is inserted, the officer should review each field to verify it is complete. TIP: Using Data from CAPTAIN Inquiry Results When entering data about the driver, the vehicle owner, and the vehicle; the officer has the option to request that data previously returned to a CAPTAIN inquiry be inserted into the citation form. The officer controls this action by choosing a person or vehicle from a list of previous CAPTAIN queries. The available data items could include: *Driver detail – OLN, Name, DOB, Address, Race, and Sex *Vehicle detail – Registration, VIN, Make, Model, Color, Automobile Type, *Vehicle Owner – Name, DOB, Address
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Presenter
Presentation Notes
License / Vehicle Form The ‘License / Vehicle’ form collects data about the the vehicle and the vehicle owner. The officer should complete all data fields that are appropriate for the the type of vehicle and the owner. Click on the ‘spyglass’ button to the left of the Reg. Number field. This will open a list of recent inquiry results. Select the vehicle you want by double-clicking on that item. If the inquiry data is inserted, the officer should review each field to verify it is complete and correct. If the driver is also the owner, click the driver button to insert name data (from the demographics form) into the owner fields.
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TIP: Using Data from CAPTAIN Inquiry Results When entering data about the driver, the vehicle owner, and the vehicle; the officer has the option to request that data previously returned to a CAPTAIN inquiry be inserted into the citation form. The officer controls this action by choosing a vehicle from a list of previous CAPTAIN queries. The available data items could include: --Vehicle detail – Registration, VIN, Make, Model, Color, Automobile Type, -Vehicle Owner – Name, DOB, Address
Presenter
Presentation Notes
If the inquiry data is inserted, the officer should review each field to verify it is complete and correct.
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Presenter
Presentation Notes
‘ON’ - specify the address or location that the infraction occurred. This is a free form field that accepts alpha or numeric characters. It is important to make this entry accurate; use correct spelling and avoid unclear abbreviations. Intersections or mile markers may be entered. ‘Truck’ – mark one checkbox to indicate if the vehicle named in this citation is a truck. ‘Over 15% Overweight’ – mark one checkbox to indicate if this condition applies or not. ‘Actual Speed’ – if this is a speeding violation, enter the speed of the vehicle using numbers. ‘Posted Speed’ – if this is a speeding violation, enter the posted speed for the location named in the ‘ON’ field. ICC/DOT # - if the vehicle has either an ICC or DOT number, enter it in the field and check one box to indicate the type of number. ’18,000 lbs or more’ – mark one checkbox to indicate if this condition applies or not. Road Traf (traffic) Vis (visibility) Area – these field values are used to help describe the conditions at the time of the occurrence. For each field choose one entry from the drop down list of values. Click on the ‘down arrow’ to see the list, the click to select/highlight the value that applies. If you know the value symbol, you can use the keyboard to enter that value in the appropriate field. For example, ‘H’ is the value for a heavy traffic condition. ‘Commercial/Hazmat Mat’ – if applicable, mark the checkbox for ‘CDL, CV, or HM . ‘Answer Date’ – this field will be automatically completed by the eCitation software.
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Data Entry ‘Picklists’ • Use only authorized terms • Reduce wrong entries • Reduce typing • Speed data entry
Presenter
Presentation Notes
Data Field Picklists: Some of the data fields in eCitation will only accept entries from a picklist of choices which are pre-determined by CRCOG or CT Judicial. Entering data from picklists is done as follows: Use the mouse or touchscreen to click on the ‘down arrow button’ visible in the data entry field. This will cause the picklist to be displayed in a drop down box. Use the mouse, the touchscreen, or the keyboard naviation arrows to scroll up or down the picklist until you have high-lighted your choice. Confirm / enter this choice with a click or by hitting the TAB key (which also moves the cursor to the next field) With many picklists, you can enter a letter(s) in the field and this will open the drop down list to the entry you need or display that portion of the list that matches the letter you entered. For example, in the race field you can enter ‘W’ which is the code for white. If the exact choice you need is not highlighted, scroll through the picklist and make your choice.
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Presenter
Presentation Notes
The ‘Infractions/Fines’ form is used to choose and enter the statutes or ordinances that are the basis for this citation. Up to six infractions can be listed. The infraction/statute must be selected from the official list that is included with the eCitation system. The steps to enter infraction, statute, and fine are: Go to ‘Line 1’ and place the cursor in the field immediately to the right of the line number. Enter a key word and statute descriptions will be displayed that include the key word. For example, if you enter the key word ‘speed’, statues with speed in the description will be shown in the drop down list. You can now scroll through the list to find and choose the appropriate infraction. After you select an infraction, the corresponding statute number will be displayed in the field further to the right on that line. For each infraction/statute, you must enter the number of ‘counts’. The default is 1; however this can be changed when there are multiple counts of the same infraction. The fine amount will be calculated by the system after the statute is selected and the number of counts is entered. Up to six infractions can be listed on a citation. To enter multiple infractions, follow the steps above (1-6) to complete each one. When entering multiple infractions, use the numbered data entry lines in sequence 1, 2, 3 … etc. Do not leave a blank line between multiple infractions. If more than six different infractions are needed, you must create another citation for issue to the defendant. The ‘Total Due’ field will be completed by the system based on the state mandated fine associated with each statute. Total Due indicates the total fine amount based on the infractions and the number of counts for each infraction.
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Violation must be selected from the picklist Number of Counts must be entered Fine amount is calculated by the program
Presenter
Presentation Notes
Infraction / Statute Picklist: In Citation date entry, on the form named Infractions/Fines, there are six fields for entering infractions, the corresponding statutes, and the fines. These fields only accept entries from the infraction/statute picklist. This is a very long picklist that uses the specific infraction/violation descriptions and statute numbers published by the State of Connecticut. The following methods are available to find and select the required Infraction/Violation: To the right of each Infraction/Violation field is a ‘spyglass button’. Clicking this button opens the drop down picklist for the statute violation field. The statute number and the fine are linked to each infraction/violation and will be entered automatically after both the infraction and the count is entered.
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A violation list search field Vertical and horizontal scroll to read and verify your selection
Presenter
Presentation Notes
With the violation search form open, both a vertical and horizontal scroll bar is available to move up and down the list or scan the longer descriptions. You can use the vertical scroll bar to find an infraction, then highlight that entry and select it with a click, tap, or the Enter key.
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*** Enter a ‘key’ word directly in the violation field to get a list of possible violations.
Presenter
Presentation Notes
A more efficient method to find an infraction may be to enter a ‘key’ word or phrase in the data field. This will cause the picklist to scroll to the first entry in the list that includes that key word. For example, typing the word ‘speed’ in the field will auto-scroll to infractions that contain the letters < speed > in the description.
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•Choose from notes templates •Citation data is inserted into the template •Review and edit to complete the notes
Notes templates can be added to the program by system administration.
Presenter
Presentation Notes
The ‘Notes’ form is used to enter the officer’s notes or narrative to describe circumstances and or explain the officer’s observations about the actions and violations the citation addresses. Templates for common types of citations and violations have been provided to assist the officer in completing this information. Based on the violation(s) cited, the officer should choose the appropriate template. The eCitation system will create the narrative and insert data from the previously completed citation forms into the template. The officer now needs to review the notes and make edits or add text as needed. ALERT: Upon completion, new citations are transmitted immediately to the CRCOG Citation server and soon after, are forwarded to CT Judicial. Therefore, it is best when the officer’s notes are entered before the ‘sign, save, and print’ step of eCitation. This way the officer’s notes are included with the ‘court original report’ that is sent to CT Judicial. If officer notes are not entered, the court original report will be lacking the officer’s comments.
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A preview image of the defendant’s citation is available before the final step of sign, save, and print.
Presenter
Presentation Notes
After all necessary data has been entered on each of the citation forms, the must be saved and the defendant’s copy must be printed. The following steps are used for this: To insure the citation data is complete and correct, the officer should ‘preview’ the citation. The preview function displays the citation exactly as it will be printed for the defendant. The vertical scroll bar is used to move the preview up/down the image. If the officer sees errors in the citation preview, he must go to the appropriate form to make the data entry corrections.
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ALERT: Sign, Save, and Print is FINAL This step inserts the electronic name stamp of the issuing officer, locks all citation data fields, and prints the defendant’s copy. Sign and Save also sends the eCitation data record to the CRCOG Citation server. After ‘Sign, Save, and Print’ is initiated, the citation cannot be changed and the officer cannot recall the citation from the CRCOG data server. However, if there is a printer error, the citation can be re-printed for the defendant.
Presenter
Presentation Notes
After the officer uses the preview function to confirm the defendant’s copy of the citation is correct, it must be ‘signed/saved’ and then printed on the official eCitation printer and paper. Note: In the event of a failure to print a citation properly (printer error, paper malfunction, etc.), the officer will be able to re-submit the citation for printing. ALERT: Sign, Save, and Print is FINAL Before the defendant’s copy of the citation can be printed it must be signed and saved by the officer. This step inserts the electronic name stamp of the issuing officer and it locks all citation data fields. Sign and Save also sends the eCitation data record to the CRCOG Citation server. After ‘Sign, Save, and Print’ is initiated, the citation cannot be changed and the officer cannot recall the citation from the CRCOG data server. However, if there is a printer error, the citation can be re-printed for the defendant.
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All data entered to this point will be held in a temporary file.
Presenter
Presentation Notes
During the process of creating a new citation, the officer has the option to temporarily ‘suspend’ that citation. A suspended citation is held in a queue on the mobile computer for recall by the officer that started and suspended it. The officer can later recall a suspended citation, including the data that was previously entered. The citation can now be completed and issued. To suspend a citation you use the ‘Suspend’ command button at the bottom of the citation data entry forms. You are able to suspend a citation any time after a new citation is started and the new number is issued. In order to resume a suspended citation, you must first go to the citation main menu and select the ‘Citation Search’ function.
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Presenter
Presentation Notes
When Citation Search is selected, the officer is presented with a list of recently completed citations from which to choose. You can scroll through this list or search for a specific citation if you know the citation number. To select a suspended citation, double-click on it. The citation will be displayed starting with the last used data entry form prior to suspension. You can now resume and continue as if the Citation was never suspended. A citation can be suspended as often as necessary until it has been signed, saved, printed, and locked.
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Now continue entering the new citation data.
Presenter
Presentation Notes
To select a suspended citation, double-click on it. The citation will be displayed starting with the last used data entry form prior to suspension. You can now resume and continue as if the Citation was never suspended. A citation can be suspended as often as necessary until it has been signed, saved, printed, and locked. ALERT: Suspended citations can be cancelled An officer that suspends citations should resume and complete all such citations before ending that duty shift and logging off the computer he was using. Failure to complete a citation will cause it to be cancelled and the citation number will be considered abandoned by the officer. After ‘Sign, Save, and Print’ is initiated, the citation cannot be suspended or abandoned.
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Start a new citation with selected data from a previously saved citation
Search to find the citation to be cloned
Presenter
Presentation Notes
In order to increase the efficiency of issuing multiple citations that are similar in content, the officer may choose to use the ‘clone’ function to start a new citation. The basis for a clone is a previously signed/saved citation; from which selected data is entered into the new citation. In order to use the clone function, you must first go to the citation main menu and select the ‘Citation Search’ function.
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Select a ‘completed’ citation as the basis for the clone.
Presenter
Presentation Notes
When Citation Search is selected, the officer is presented with a list of recently completed citations from which to choose. You can scroll through this list or search for a specific citation if you know the citation number.
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Clicking the clone button will start a new citation.
Presenter
Presentation Notes
When the completed citation is displayed you choose the ‘Clone’ button to start a new citation. This opens the new citation form with a new citation number and replicated the data in a few specific fields from the completed citation.
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A new number Selected data has been inserted from the clone source Complete by entering all data
Presenter
Presentation Notes
The data items that are replicated include; Demographics tab - Offense Town and Town Code Specifics tab – Location, Posted speed limit, and Conditions (Road, Traffic, Weather, Area) Infractions tab - 1st Violation only Notes tab – Narrative For all other data fields, it is as if you started a new citation from a blank form. To complete the citation, you follow the guidelines outlined in Scenario 1 of this User Guide. The clone function is intended to save time for the officer. It remains important that the officer review all data entries to insure that the new citation is correct. Cloned data can be edited or replaced as needed. After all necessary data has been entered in each of the citation forms, it must be signed/saved and the defendant’s copy must be printed.
10,000
12,000
14,000
16,000
18,000
20,000
22,000
24,000
26,000
28,000
30,000
2010 2011 Total
17,694
21,488
39,182
Citations
0
1,000,000
2,000,000
3,000,000
4,000,000
5,000,000
6,000,000
7,000,000
8,000,000
9,000,000
2010 2011 Total
3,720,139
4,482,583
8,202,722
Fine Amounts
2009 Hand Written Tickets vs 2010 E Citations From June 1 to July 6 per year
2009 Hand Written Tickets vs 2010 E Citations % Increase (Tpr. Cassavechia, Tpr. Etters, Sgt. Netkovick, Tpr. Prouty, Tpr. Smigel)
TRCC is a human information sharing portal ◦ Live ◦ Face to face ◦ Builds understanding ◦ Forms relationships ◦ Encourages intelligent partnering
DOT, DMV, Judicial, GHSR, Local and State Police, Regional Planning Organizations, NHTSA, FHA,
Provides a documented forum for exchanging ideas and project status for mutual improvement. CONDOT sponsors a web site that is frequently updated with very useful information.
