Electronic Docket Adoption in Rural Police Stations

Abstract

The adoption of electronic record management systems in rural policing presents significant challenges, impacting case management and service delivery. This study investigates the barriers hindering the implementation of electronic docket systems in rural police stations, focusing on the Amatole District Municipality in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. Data from 37 police officers across six rural stations was analysed using descriptive statistics and machine learning techniques. The descriptive statistics results reveal that while a considerable number of officers acknowledge the potential benefits of electronic docket systems, manual case docket management persists due to various barriers. The decision tree model analysis achieved promising results with an accuracy of 75%, precision of 100%, recall of 66.7%, and an F1 score of 80%. These results revealed that usability and perceived efficiency are key predictors of adoption. The study suggests strategic interventions to enhance operational efficiency and service delivery in rural police stations.