County law enforcement agencies will share new records management software

Law enforcement agencies in Minnesota have begun collaboration on a new records management system.

“The sheriff’s office and the police department have been operating on the same software since 1997. It’s ancient.”

Montevideo Chief of Police Adam Christopher

Since the trend is moving toward electronic processing of paperwork, it makes sense that they would pool the efforts and resources, integrating data from other departments, making it available anywhere from precincts to squad cars.

One major goal is to reduce duplicate data entry and clerical errors.

At a price of $309,387 that includes two years of maintenance, the cost is a bit higher than the $146,000 available, mainly in the inmate house arrest account and the inmate program account. But through a few methods of multiple payments, the system will be paid off after 2013 and each department will then be responsible for its share of the cost of maintenance of the system.[hr]Source: MonteNews.com