Tucson To Host High-Level Law Enforcement Technology Workshop

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About COPLINK: COPLINK was developed with major funding from the National Institute of Justice. Dr. Chen and the Artificial Intelligence Lab have been involved in developing technology solutions for law enforcement since 1992, beginning with work funded by The National Science Foundation. The COPLINK project utilizes some of the same technology, putting it to work on behalf of domestic crime fighting agencies. Media Contact: Associate Director Ann Lally, Artificial Intelligence Lab 520.621.6219 E-mail: alally@bpa.arizona.edu AI Website: http://ai.eller.arizona.edu/go/datawarehousing/ To learn more about COPLINK information sharing and analysis solutions, contact John Boone at jboone@coplinkconnect.com or call 520.574.0861 or visit the COPLINK Website at www.coplinkconnect.com.

By University Communications January 25, 2001

Top government officials, cutting-edge researchers and law enforcement agencies from across the nation met in Tucson Jan. 25-26 to discuss how advanced information technology can speed the pursuit of justice.

The workshop focused on information issues facing local agencies, as well as the broader challenges emerging as thousands of agencies nationwide attempt to share information across jurisdictional lines.

The workshop was hosted by The University of Arizona Artificial Intelligence Lab (AI), birthplace of COPLINK, one of the most advanced information sharing and analysis software programs ever developed for law enforcement. The AI Lab is part of the management information systems (MIS) department at the Eller College of Business and Public Administration, and is headed by Hsinchun Chen. The MIS department consistently ranks among the top five national collegiate research institutions for information technology.

"The goal of the workshop is to bring the top law-enforcement, technology and government minds together to discuss the challenges and issues that local, state and federal law enforcement agencies will face in the 21st century," Chen said. "COPLINK itself is the result of a progressive partnership between academia and law enforcement agencies. We offer our successful experience as a national model for improving the delivery of government-related services via digital-technology."

The workshop featured several keynote speakers, encompassing the fields of law enforcement, technology and information sharing. Some of the speakers included: Larry Brandt of the National Science Foundation Digital Government Program, Veh Bezdikian of the COPS (Community Oriented Policing Service) office and Chen.

The two-day workshop will begin on Thursday Jan. 25th at 8:30 a.m. on the University of Arizona campus. Admission is limited to registered attendees.