US police chief leads way on new software

Published on Tuesday 12 May 2009 10:41

A CALIFORNIAN police chief was today set to brief officers in the capital on the use of new computer software to pinpoint crime hotspots.

Jim Bueermann, the chief of Redlands Police in California, was expected to speak to community beat officers about the technology at St Leonard's police station.

Mr Bueermann was due to make the stop as part of a visit to Scotland to discuss crime mapping and Geographic Information Software (GIS) with senior officers from across the country.

The software allows police to plot the location and time of every crime committed on a map, enabling hotspots to be pinpointed and resources allocated accordingly.

After meeting with Deputy Chief Constable Tom Halpin, Mr Bueermann was set to travel to St Leonard's to deliver the briefing before visiting officials from the Scottish Parliament.

A police spokesman said: "Lothian and Borders Police welcome the visit of Chief Bueermann from California.

"With over ten years' experience in the field of crime mapping and GIS, Chief Bueermann's insight will be readily sought during these discussions."