NETWORK WARRANT FILING

1. NETWORK WARRANT FILING

2. SCAN • The current system for obtaining Warrants of arrest for persons is too time intensive. • The adoption of a decentralized chain of command has increased the distance a detective must travel to obtain a warrant of arrest. • Technology exists to alleviate this problem but it is not being utilized.

3. SCAN cont. • The increase in time spent obtaining arrest warrants has taken away time from detectives to conduct thorough investigations. • The increase in time to obtain warrants is a waste of departmental resources and manpower.

4. Current Procedure • The detective prepares Probable Cause Affidavit at the office and drives to municipal court. • Presents Probable Cause Affidavit and Warrant to the judge for his/her approval and signature. • Detective takes it back to the municipal clerk for copies. • Detectives returns to the office and prepares the warrant package. • Detective delivers warrant package to the Fugitive unit. • This process is sometimes repeated several times a week per detective.

5. New Procedure/Response • E-mail it to the judge (folder on the network) for review and signature. (does not spend time driving and waiting) • The judge then e-mails it to the clerk and the clerk issues a cause number and re-route it back to the Detective. • The detective prepares the warrant package and delivers it to the Fugitive unit. • Detective prepares Probable Cause Affidavit and warrant; signs the PC and warrant through the use of a signature pad. Under the new law, P.C. no longer needs to be notarized. It merely needs to be witnessed by an officer.

6. H.B. 806- An ACT relating to the use of electronic devices for the production and authentication of certain court documents. SECTION 1. Chapter 2, Code of Criminal Procedure, is amended by adding Article 2.26 to read as follows: Art. 2.26 DIGITAL SIGNATURE. (a) In this section, “digital signature” means an electronic identifier intended by the person using it to have the same force and effect as the use of a manual signature. (b) An electronically transmitted document issued or received by a court in a criminal matter is considered signed if a digital signature is transmitted with a document.

7. H.B. 243- AN ACT relating to authorizing peace to administer certain oaths. SECTION 1. Section 602.002, Government Code, is amended to read as follows: Sec. 602.002. OATH MADE IN TEXAS. An oath made in this state may be administered and a certificate of the fact given by: *** (7)a peace officer described by Article 2.12, Code of Criminal Procedure, if: (A) the oath is administered when the officer is engaged in the performance of the officer’s duties; and (B) the administration of the oath related to the officer’s duties; * Effective June 19, 1999

8. Judge signs warrant with a signature pad. Fugitive Unit Detective and witness signs the PC & Warrant. Detective prepares the Warrant package. Municipal clerk assigns a cause number.

9. Under Current Procedure • It is estimated that a detective under the current procedure of issuing warrants, spends approximately 1 hour from their unit waiting to get a warrant issued. The time saved could be better utilized working on other cases.

10. RESOURCES • All APD computers are networked and in place. • Resources Needed: • Signature pads for all units • 2 computers and signature pads for the the judges and the municipal clerks

11. Cost of Procedures • Each detective spends approximately one hour per warrant to get it processed by a judge. A detective’s salary is approximately $28.00 per hour; APD issues about 290 warrants per month. APD spends $8,120 per month using the current procedure. • The cost of purchasing signature pads is $1,200 for 12 units. The cost of purchasing 2 computers and signature pads for the judges and municipal court clerks is $4,600.

12. APD Savings with Implementation of the New Procedure • Due to the implementation cost, the initial savings for the first month will be $2,320. • It is estimated that the total savings for the first year will be $90,000.

13. What WPLP theories apply to this Problem? • Answer- Lots and Lots of them. • The main theory applicable to this problem would be to over come resistance to change. • The old system has worked well for many years. • Some people are uncomfortable with computer technology. • This process would affect several entities outside the police department. • By adopting this process the police department would be managing the environment in which it works to do a better job. • This process cannot be adopted unless all parties involved buy in to the process. • Another aspect affected would be the technological component of the Austin Police Department.

14. WPLP Theories cont. • By adopting this process the police department would be managing the environment in which it works to do a better job. • This process cannot be adopted unless all parties involved buy in to the process. • Another aspect affected would be the technological component of the Austin Police Department.

15. Assess the Response • Survey the persons who are using the process in one month after implementation. • Note any deficiencies in the system and take measures to correct them. • Have in place a system to show how much time is actually saved in a days work in using the new system. • Research new technology to determine if a better system can be implemented. i.e. Versadex RMS, when it comes on line.