Frequently Asked Questions

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1. What is The RAMS™II/QSI™?
2. What kind of information does it track?
3. How does it work?
4. How long does it take to get data in the system?
5. Is it an "early-warning system?"
6. What are the hardware and/or software requirements?
7. I have a small department. Can it be useful for me?
8. How do unions respond?
9. Why shouldn't we just develop our own system?
10. Will the system be able to use data from our existing sources?
11. How do we limit access to the system?
12. Will we be able to see patterns immediately
     after implementing the system?
13. Won't lawyers be able to get access to this information?
14. Won't the media want this information?
15. How long does it take to implement?
16. Won't an early-warning system make you
     more vulnerable to litigation?
17. How much does The RAMS™II/QSI™ cost?
1. What is The RAMS™II/QSI™?

The RAMS™II/QSI™ is a system that allows police departments to manage risk systematically by tracking key performance data, and to use their resources more effectively and efficiently.
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2. What kind of information does it track?

The RAMS™II/QSI™ documents key performance data by geographic region, race, age, sex, duty status (on—or off—duty), environmental conditions (weather, time of day, and location), and many other categories. It will show you:

  • Lethal and non-lethal, use-of-force incidents by officer involved and
      his or her commander/supervisor;
  • Sick time and injury leave by days and shifts;

  • Complaints against officers involving serious or minor offenses,
      based on various incidents and specific complaints and
      allegation types;

  • Disposition of complaints;

  • Vehicle accidents, particularly those caused by high-speed pursuits,
      and the circumstances under which they occur;

  • Data on vehicle stops and other citizen contacts.
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    3. How does it work?

    The RAMS™II/QSI™ has a unique flagging alert system that allows you to set performance tolerance levels (critical thresholds) at a cautionary stage (yellow flag) or action alert stage (red flag).
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    4. How long does it take to get data in the system?

    It varies by the size of the department, its individual record-keeping system, and the amount of historical data it wants to integrate
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    5. Is it an "early-warning system?"

    The RAMS™II/QSI™ is that AND MORE. Its unique flagging system provides for in-depth analysis of incidents and personnel, as well as issuing early warnings.
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    6. What are the hardware and/or software requirements?

    The system will run as a client/server on Windows NT, 2000, and Novell Servers. It can also function as a stand-alone system that has Windows 98 or above as its operating platform. We recommend Pentium I or better processors with 64MB RAM (128MB recommended). You will need 10 megabytes for the application and may require additional space, depending on the size of your database.
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    7. I have a small department. Can it be useful for me?

    Absolutely. Many small departments believe they have most of the critical data on officers and incidents. The RAMS™II/QSI™, however, can help you track data more systematically.
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    8. How do unions respond?

    It depends on how you introduce them to the system. Unions should be involved in the early stages of acquiring an early-warning system and shown its potential benefits for officers. It is vital that unions understand that early-warning systems are preventative rather than punitive by nature.
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    9. Why shouldn't we just develop our own system?

    Unless you want to hire an integrator and spend significant amounts of time and money, you should try to obtain an existing system from an organization that will work with you in importing existing data. The Police Foundation will do so. If you develop your own system, it may be too complicated to try to fully integrate your system interactively with records management and CAD.
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    10. Will the system be able to use data from our existing sources?

    The RAMS™II/QSI™ has been implemented in agencies that stored their data in a mainframe, Oracle, ASCII, and MSAccess, and, in all likelihood, can import other database formats.
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    11. How do we limit access to the system?

    You will need to decide who has access to the system, and what their levels of authority will be. This includes establishing access levels that correspond to existing authority levels within the department. If you use the early-warning system as a management tool, then command personnel should have access to their staff's records. The RAMS™II/QSI™ provides the tool for limiting access to tables and functions for individuals and groups.
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    12. Will we be able to see patterns immediately after implementing the system?

    If you allow us to assist you in uploading some historical data, you can look at trends and patterns right away. Simply starting with today's data, however, may not produce the kinds of analysis you would like for some time.
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    13. Won't lawyers be able to get access to this information?

    Yes, but discovery enables lawyers to obtain any information necessary for a case. The benefit of capturing this information in one database is that you will not have to tie up staff for long periods of time in compiling information required in discovery. Instead, the necessary facts will be readily accessible in report format.
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    14. Won't the media want this information?

    It depends on the extent of the public record laws in your state. Implementing this system fosters positive relationships with the community. Besides, if you are from a state that has open records laws, the media will be able to access it whether or not it is in an automated format within an early-warning system.
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    15. How long does it take to implement?

    The length of time involved to get it "up and running" depends on the size of your staff, how many years of back data you want to include, and the format of existing data.
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    16. Won't an early-warning system make you more vulnerable to litigation?

    No. Just because you don't currently know the histories of your staff does not mean you shouldn't have known. You should realize, however, that implementing an early-warning system and then failing to act on the information could make you more vulnerable. Positive intervention is key.
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    17. How much does The RAMS™II/QSI™ cost?

    The Risk Analysis Management System™ (RAMS™II) and integrated Quality of Service Indicator™ (QSI™) are management tools built from years of scientific research and successful management practices. The most effective risk-management strategy involves a comprehensive approach to implementing management solutions that are efficient and effective. As such, The RAMS™II/QSI™ are not simply off-the-shelf software, but include training and technical support necessary for improving an agency's ability to enhance service delivery.

    BASE SYSTEM PRICE $12,995*
    Includes:

    • Licensing for up to 3 users for one year
    • Training for three users and one system administrator
    • Technical support
    • No charge for upgraded versions

    Other Available Services and Training:

    • Data uploading
    • System tailoring and/or modifications
    • Train-the-trainer workshop
    • Training for additional users and/or system administrators
    • Command-level workshops facilitated by Police Foundation staff
      to establish critical threshold values/strategic response matrix
    • Training in risk management and liability

    The QSI™ can be acquired independently of The RAMS™II for $7,995* With the QSI™, you will have a system for tracking citizen contacts (vehicle- and pedestrian-stop data) as well as complaints against officers (internal and external).

    Notes: User training and workshops are done at the Police Foundation; on-site training available for additional fees. Installation and training for system administrator provided on-site at your agency.

    *Additional fees are charged for uploading of existing data, users beyond three (licensing and training), minimal annual license renewals, system tailoring and/or modifications, or other specialized training and technical services.
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    For more information about The RAMS™II/QSI™, please send an e-mail to ramsqsi@policefoundation.org or submit the Contact Form.

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