AlaCop History
AlaCop
“Cops on the Information Superhighway”
By Phillip Calvert
In 1996 the Internet and Email were just emerging as valuable communications tools for average individuals. While educational institutions and scientists made use of the emerging technology, law abiding citizens and criminals alike began to make use of this technology to communicate and gather information on a daily basis. Government agencies, especially law enforcement agencies, fell behind due to the lack of resources, funding, and knowledge. Some law enforcement officers found the emerging technology interesting and began to develop skills, knowledge, and gained access on their own time, at their own expense, and during off-duty hours. Law enforcement officers around the world obtained Email addresses, developed web sites, and gained valuable experience long before their agencies found any desire to be visible on the Information Superhighway.
As a result of the potential of the emerging computer technology and the realization that these would be useful communications tools for those law enforcement officers who were involved, AlaCop was developed and officially brought on-line in February, 1997. AlaCop is basically a tool that makes use of Email communications and provides a listserver service, which allows numerous law enforcement officers to communicate in a broadcast, yet personal manner through their personal Email accounts. The basic principle is that an officer who wishes to communicate information or ask a question sends an Email message to an AlaCop Email address. The message is then relayed to every active associate who has an Email address posted in the AlaCop database. Associates can respond in the same manner and often times a discussion among several associates will develop that can be seen by all active associates. For more personal communications, the discussion may be taken away from the AlaCop service and conducted through direct Emails, or through other means of contact.
AlaCop now resembles an on-line locker room among our associates. Many topics are discussed, many have the ability to participate, and thousands of years of experience, knowledge, and ability can be shared on any topic. Not all topics are law enforcement related, although it is preferred that the associates maintain a professional standard in their communications. After 10 years of service to the law enforcement community, AlaCop continues to be a valuable tool for law enforcement officers. As the services provided by AlaCop develops, it is hoped that more officers will take advantage of the services provided and that we will continue to help law enforcement officers learn, cope with problems, and serve their communities more effectively.
In 1997 AlaCop began with:
The use of free Email accounts to conduct communications Developed a web site making use of a free service Had only a handful of associates participating Emails were manually forwarded to all associates by the AlaCop Administrator Processed less than 50 messages each month In 2007 AlaCop has developed:
A website with Email service (www.AlaCop.us) Almost 800 active associates from several different states Automatic message forwarding through YahooGroups.com Processes an average of 300 messages each month The ability to gain support and solve crimes The ability to develop and support legislation The opportunity to quickly and efficiently send requests for information and BOLOs to law enforcement officers personally The ability to communicate with and develop professional relationships with law enforcement officers from every level of government Serves as the model for development of ALACOP.gov, a one-stop shop for law enforcement resources from the Alabama Criminal Justice Information Center Serves as the model for the development of other on-line discussion groups for law enforcement associations In 2007 AlaCop became AlaCop, Inc., a private non-profit corporation that qualifies for tax-exempt donations. This is a huge step forward for our future goals:
Increase security for our private area of the website Increase security for our Email messages Increase donation support from businesses and benevolent friends Provide free Email accounts to associates Provide expanding services and resources to our associates Begin to provide tuition assistance for law enforcement training Begin to provide scholarships for college level courses related to law enforcement Begin to provide scholarship assistance for payment of Student Loans for law enforcement officers who have completed their education and are in payment status. Become more helpful in the daily needs of the law enforcement communityAfter 10 years of service to the law enforcement community, AlaCop continues to provide valuable services and plans to expand and develop as technology develops. With the continued belief that individual officers are the heart of law enforcement, AlaCop will continue to support and provide services to those individual officers who wish to better themselves and make use of all tools available so that they can better serve and protect their communities.
About the Author
Captain Phillip Calvert serves as an Assistant Director for the Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board's Law Enforcement Division. Captain Calvert attended the Northeast Alabama Police Academy in Jacksonville, Alabama. With 22 years experience in the law enforcement profession, he promotes the belief that communications among law enforcement officers is essential to efficient and effective law enforcement operations. He serves on the Board of Directors for AlaCop, Inc. as its Administrator. He serves on the Board of Directors for the Institute for Criminal Justice Education, Inc. He serves as the Alabama Proxy to the Board of Directors for the Regional Organized Crime Information Center. Captain Calvert completed the degrees of Bachelor of Science in Management of Human Resources and Master of Science in Management at Faulkner University in Montgomery, Alabama. Captain Calvert has also completed a Diploma in Avionics Technology at the Alabama Aviation and Technical College in Ozark, Alabama. Captain Calvert holds a General Radiotelephone Operators license issued by the Federal Communications Commission.