Malcolm Gorrill
Northern News Services

Inuvik (Nov 16/01) - Inuvik RCMP are taking a large technological leap forward by adopting a new computer system.

Const. Mike Carter instructs fellow Inuvik RCMP members on a new computer system the detachment has adopted. SPURS is replacing a system designed in the 1970s. - Malcolm Gorrill/NNSL photo

Staff Sgt. Mark Wharton explained that SPURS -- which stands for simplified paperless universal reporting system -- is quicker and easier than the standard system which had been used here and is still being used in many parts of the country.

The old system was designed in the 1970s, whereas SPURS has just been designed within the last few years. Wharton said the switchover was comparable to going from DOS to Windows, and that SPURS is actually only an intermediate program, and that the RCMP will eventually adopt another one.

Wharton said a national survey revealed people want the RCMP to do more services.

"We had fewer resources, so SPURS makes us more efficient," Wharton said.

Under the old system, a person's name and other data might have to be entered three times, thus tying up a lot of time.

"With this, we enter it once, it's there," Wharton said. "Once it's entered, we can grab it and put it into other files."

Errors often crept into statistics with the old system.

"This system basically will grab the stats for us."

Wharton pointed out using SPURS makes for more electronic files, thus making information easier to find and share.

Yellowknife adopted SPURS about 18 months ago and Rae got the system early this year. Inuvik is the first detachment in the Delta to have SPURS.

Recently Wharton and Const. Mike Carter went to Yellowknife to receive training on the system, and so that they could train members of their detachment and others within the region.

Inuvik began using SPURS on Nov. 7.

"By April of next year everyone in the Northwest Territories should have it."

The NWT is ahead of some parts of the country in adopting SPURS, including Alberta and British Columbia.