## (2) Communications Command System

Prefectural Police has set up a communications command center. When the communications command center receive a dial 110 call, they will immediately notify the contents of the call to police stations, and will direct patrol cars and community police officers from kobans to the scene, and issue emergency deployments $ ^{1} $ depending on the situation. The number of emergency deployments executed was 7,679 in 2008 (an increase of 139 compared with the previous year).

The time it takes from the moment the communication command center receives a dial 110 call and issues an order to patrol cars, etc., to the moment a police officer arrives on the scene is called the response time $ ^{2} $ . The average response time in 2008 for dial 110 calls directly received by communication control center at police headquarters was 6 minutes 59 seconds.

In order to cut down on response time, the police are making efforts to upgrade the communications command system by introducing measures including a Geographic Information System (GIS) which enables rapid pinpointing of a call’s location, and a car locator system that facilitates the monitoring patrol car activities. As of 1 April 2009, the system notifying location information at the same time while talking over the telephone when informing on dial 110 calls using the cellular phone etc. (Location information notification system) was implemented at the NPA and 35 Prefectural Police. Operation is scheduled to begin in seven Prefectural Police besides Chiba Prefectural Police in 2009.

Note 1: Inspection, interrogation, standing watch by arranging a police member who is from a regional police office to arrest the suspect promptly when serious incidents occur.

2: The time required until police officers arrive at the site after the communication command center receives dial 110 calls, and relays the information to them via their patrol car.

## (3) Improving Initial Response by the Police

In recent years, with the increase of variation and need for speed in cases needing police attention such as the string of random assault incidents and damage from localized and short period heavy rainfall occur, initial response by the police $ ^{1} $ has become increasingly difficult. In order for the police to continue to conduct initial response in a manner that answers the need of the times, it is imperative to strengthen its communications command, which is the keystone of initial response, and promote organizational and effective action.

To this end, the NPA formulated the “Guidelines for Improving Initial Response by the Police” in December, 2008. Prefectural Police have included important focus points described in the guideline in the “Comprehensive Pan to Establish a Strong Front-line Police centering on Community Police” $ ^{2} $ and are taking various measures to accomplish this.

Note 1: Initial police activities in response to incidents and accidents conducted by Prefectural Police based on police structure during times of peace, including communications command which direct these activities.

2: Given the worsening of the environment and other factors surrounding the execution of duty by the police, this plan was formulated by Prefectural Police in order to establish strong front-line police centering on community police units. The Prefectural Police are conducting various measures based on this plan (see page 170).

Major examples of measures taken by the police are the following:

· Strengthening of the communications command system