The Wanganui Computer

Police history was made on Wednseday, 1 September 1976, when the Commissioner, Mr K.B.Burnside, pressed a button at Headquarters terminal WNPHA to bring the Wanganui computer message switching system officially "on line".

The first message read:

 

SR APN APS

THIS MESSAGE TO ALL MEMBERS OF THE POLICE SIGNIFIES OFFICIALLY THE EVENT OF THE COMPUTER AGE IN LAW ENFORCEMENT. A NEW PLATEAU HAS BEEN REACHED IN THE USE OF SOPHISTICATED TECHNOLOGY TO SEEK OUT THE CRIMINAL AND TO RECORD THE LEVEL OF ALL OFFENDING. THIS SYSTEM DOES NOT REPLACE THE HUMAN ATTRIBUTES POLICING HAS RELIED ON SO HEAVILY IN THE PAST; IT MERELY ADDS A NEW DIMENSION TO COMPLEMENT THEM. BUT A WORD OF WARNING. DESPITE THE HUMAN QUALITIES OF THIS MACHINE, ITS OPERATION IS RELIANT FOR ACCURACY ON ITS USERS. THERE WILL BE TEETHING PROBLEMS - BEAR WITH THEM. MY CONGRATULATIONS TO THOSE WHO HAVE MADE TODAY POSSIBLE.

 

The first ever "Switchie"

The imminent arrival of the Wanagnui Computer is announced in the"Police Bulletin" August 1975