We used them as an hourly shift justification - where we were what we were doing (computers and GPS do it now). If there was an arrest, traffic stop or incident, it was recorded on the call sheet and a small description with any number assigned. The totals were recorded and turned into the shift supervisor - who would take the report, arrest information and any other paperwork necessary.
The paperwork had to match the dispatcher call sheet and could be used by the union to complain about breaks and lunches being missed. The stats from each call sheet was used in reporting to the FBI crime statistics reports and for state and local reporting - ie number of calls, traffic incidents and violent calls.
They provide a common collection of data, where crimes are occurring, what times crimes are occurring, what each officer is doing, where patrols can be directed to better deter crime, statistics, detect similar crimes, subjects, etc.… many useful information.
