DEVELOPMENT OF A CLOUD BASED CRIME RECORD MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (A CASE STUDY OF NPF, ABA AREA COMMAND)

ABSTRACT Crime record management is one of the most essential functions of any law enforcement agency. Accurate documentation of criminal cases, suspects, evidence, and investigation progress forms the foundation upon which justice systems operate. However, in many developing environments, including several formations of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), crime records are still managed using manual or semi-manual methods such as paper files, notebooks, and locally stored digital records. These methods often lead to problems such as data loss, duplication of records, slow retrieval of information, and poor coordination among officers. This project focuses on the development of a cloud-based crime record management system using the Nigeria Police Force Aba Area Command as a case study. The aim of the system is to design a secure, centralized, and easily accessible platform that allows authorized officers to store, retrieve, update, and analyze crime records in real time. The system was developed using modern web technologies integrated with cloud computing architecture. The methodology adopted includes system analysis of the existing manual process, system design, database modeling, implementation, and system testing. Data were obtained through observation of existing record-keeping practices and interviews with officers familiar with crime documentation procedures. The results of the developed system demonstrate significant improvements in record organization, speed of information retrieval, and data security compared to traditional record management methods. The cloud infrastructure also enables secure remote access, automated data backup, and improved collaboration between departments. The study concludes that the adoption of a cloud-based crime record management system can greatly enhance the operational efficiency of the Nigeria Police Force and strengthen crime tracking, investigation processes, and evidence management. Recommendations are provided for future system deployment, scalability, and integration with national crime databases.