By Ellen Ast
Albany Democrat-Herald | Posted: Wednesday, January 16, 2008 12:00 am
System allows police to access databases, make reports while out of office
SWEET HOME - Eight laptops purchased last year with funds from the Sweet Home Police Department's budget for a mobile data terminal project now allow officers in their patrol cars to access law enforcement databases and write reports, shortening hours spent indoors processing paperwork.
It took several weeks to install a laptop inside each of the eight cars and work out the bugs, said Chief Bob Burford.
He said officers spend an average of 20 percent of their shifts on paperwork. Mobile Data Terminals, he added, let officers type short reports in their cars directly into the department's database from any location and narrate lengthier ones into a recorder for a typist to transcribe later at the station.
"My goal is to keep officers out and visible so people can see them as much as possible," Burford said.
The $80,000 project follows an approval by the city council last October to allow the police department to purchase Panasonic computer equipment and testing from Feeney Wireless in Eugene.
A touch-screen consul can access law enforcement databases for records with the Department of Motor Vehicles, the National Crime Information Center and other agencies.
This comes in handy when officers are away from the station on a traffic stop or call. Information about a specific vehicle, person or warrant is at an officer's fingertips, rather than relayed through dispatch.
"It frees up a lot of time on both sides," said Officer Ryan Cummings. While on an afternoon patrol, Cummings uses his laptop to check the location of other officers and what they're doing. He can even send them an instant message.
He said it hasn't taken long for him and the other officers to get accustomed to the new system, although driving and typing is still tricky.
Terminals are protected with three security levels and no personal information is stored on the computers.
"Even if one were stolen there is no data at risk," Chief Burford said.
Eventually, police departments in the mid-valley hope to forge a new system that allows officers access to databases in other jurisdictions.