Managing Incident Categories and Sub-Categories

The Incident Categories and Sub-Sub Categories infeature OPSCOMallows are usedadministrators to accurately define and classify all incidents reported within the system. ThisIts featureprimary allowspurpose administratorsis to organize incident types, control their visibility in reports, and manageenforce associatedrequired checklists,checklists ensuringto ensure precise documentationdocumentation. This article is intended for OPS-COM administrators responsible for managing incident configurations and effective analysis of various occurrences.reporting.

Setup and Configuration

This feature is a core administrative tool used to establish the drop-down options available to enforcement officers when logging an incident.

Admin Side: Administrators must have the appropriate system role permissions enabled to access the incident configuration menus and manage category lists.

Using this Feature

TheAdministrators Editcan Categoriesuse andthe Subfollowing Categories page allows youinstructions to navigate the management interface to seamlessly add, edit, andor manage both main incident categories and their more specific sub-categories.

Accessing the Management Interface

1. Hover over System Configuration, thenclick Incidents,Incidents, and clickthen Categories.
   

Adding Categories

1. On

   Click the Edit Categories and Sub Categories page, click Add New Category button located at the bottom of the page.

2. Fill out

   Enter the details for your new category into the Category Name. field.

3. Enter a code into the GIS number (optional,field usedif byyour clientsorganization withutilizes geographic location codes).mapping.

4. Select whether

   Enable it's anthe "In House"House category (for internal use).
   

5. Selectcheckbox if you'd like this category tois bestrictly for internal tracking and administrative use.

6. Enable the Included in Reports. checkbox if you want incidents of this type to actively appear in standard system reports.

7. Click the Save Incident Category. button to finalize the addition.

The GIS number field is strictly optional and is only required for clients who utilize an external geographic location code system or mapping integration.

Editing Categories

1. On the Edit Categories and Sub Categories main page, locate

   Locate the desired category from the listedactive items.list on the main management page.

2. Click the pencilPencil icon next to itthe entry you wish to edit.

3. Make yourthe changesnecessary andupdates clickto the configuration fields.

4. Click the Save Incident Category button to apply your changes.updates.

Managing Sub-Sub Categories

Sub-categories provide a finer level of detail and granularity for incidents.

1. To check a category for its sub-categories, click

   Click the Sub button next to thea Categorymain name.category name to view its associated sub-categories.

2. The list

   Enter of Sub-Categories for that item will display. You can add athe new sub-categoryname into the Name field at the bottom of the list.

list
3. Enterto the Name of the sub-category and enable the desired functions:
   • Ifadd a Checklist is required for incidents under thisnew sub-category, click Required.
   • If it's to be Included in Reports,or click Include.
   directly
   • If you wish to archive it, enableinto the Archivetext checkbox.
   • If you want to change the namebox of an existing one,entry clickto change its name.

   • Enable the Required checkbox if a specific checklist must be completed for incidents filed under this sub-category.

   • Enable the Include checkbox if this sub-category should be included in thegenerated text box and change it.

   reports.

OnceEnable youthe haveArchive finished,checkbox clickto retire a sub-category that is no longer actively in use.

Click the Save Sub-Categories. button to apply all updates to the list.

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Best Practices &and Considerations

• LogicalEstablish Hierarchya logical hierarchy:: Create a clear and logical hierarchy between categories and sub-categories to ensure accurate incident classificationclassification. (e.g.,For Category:example, using "Theft,"Theft" Sub-Categories:as a main category with "Vehicle Theft,"Theft" and "Personal Belongings Theft"). as sub-categories makes reporting incredibly intuitive.

• ReportLeverage Inclusionchecklists for consistency:: Utilize the Required checklist option for sub-categories to ensure that all necessary information is collected consistently. This directly improves data quality and officer compliance for specific types of critical incidents.

• Manage report inclusion carefully: Carefully consider which categories and sub-categories should be Includedincluded in Reportsreports based on your organization's analytical and compliance needs.

• In-HouseDistinguish vs.internal Reportabledata:: DistinguishClearly distinguish between "In House"House categories (meant for internal tracking)tracking and those intended for broader reporting or external sharing. Keeping sensitive internal HR or administrative incidents out of general reports maintains data security.

• ChecklistsConduct forregular Consistencyreviews:: Utilizing the "Required Checklist" option for sub-categories can ensure that all necessary information is collected consistently for specific types of incidents, improving data quality.

• Regular Review: Periodically review your incident categories and sub-categories to ensure they remain relevantrelevant. As your operational needs or reporting requirements change, your categories should be updated or archived to yourmatch.
  incident reporting needs and operational changes.