COUNTY NEWS
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Garland SO develops cutting-edge Netbook program In February of 2010, Garland County Sheriff Larry Sanders began
working on a project that he had wanted to implement for several years – getting mobile computers put into his patrol and investigative vehicles for use in the field. Te Sheriff’s major concerns were: what would be the cost, would it be economically feasible and how could his department fund the proj- ect without dipping into budgets, that had already been cut, or into the county general fund. Sheriff Sanders established objectives for the project that outlined the
possible uses, goals and safety criteria for his deputies as well as a means to fund the project. First and foremost was the enhanced officer safety that the mobile com- puters would provide the deputies. “Although we all go through the same shift change and pass-down meetings, it was determined that we needed a reliable means of communication so that those who were on vacation or on a regular day-off, wouldn’t miss any information that was critical,” noted the Sheriff, “along with a way that we could provide all of our depu- ties with complete and accurate information on “BOLO’s”, suspect infor- mation and photographs, missing persons, on-going investigations, etc. Internet access and email was the best solution, using distribution lists.” Along with the email, he wanted to be able to provide the deputies with photographs and descriptons of violators that they come into con- tact with, for verifiable identification purposes. Access to ACIC seemed the most logical choice for gaining that information, as well as all the other valuable information that officers have come to rely on every day from ACIC. Access to “in-house” record management software and local warrant checks were also in the list of goals. “We wanted our deputies in the field to be able to access warrants in our local system.” Funding the project was the big step. Sheriff Sanders decided to utilize designated funds, those being funds derived from portions of fines that are paid by violators, to finance the project. Tis would ensure that the project would not be funded by taxpayer money, but rather the fines that are imposed by the court.
Once the goals and objectives were decid- ed on, the department moved on to which type of hardware they wanted to use to achieve these objectives. Several devices were researched and, in some cases, tested. Tey looked at several hand-held devices that a deputy could carry on their person, such as smart phone technology, but found that the cost to purchase, license and implement
these devices was cost-prohibitive. Teir search ended with the purchase of a Gateway Netbook (small form factor laptop computer) from Verizon, which contained a built-in wireless air-card, at the nominal cost of $20. After several meetings with ACIC and the department’s IT depart- ment, the Sheriff and planning group realized they could meet all of the ACIC and CJIS requirements with the purchase of a few pieces of soft- ware. Once that software was installed, they began testing the Netbook. Tey found that the speed of the internet connection, the stability of the operating system and construction of the Netbook were sufficient to warrant use in their patrol and investigative units. Tirty-nine more units were purchased and implemented into the program. At this writing the Sheriff’s Office has a total of 24 units issued and
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Melissa Gladden with Arkansas Crime Information Center guides Sher-
iff’s Patrol Lt. Mike Roberson as Garland County SO’s patrol deputies and inves- tigators receive ACIC training prior to the issuance of the Netbooks.
being utilized in the field, with the other 16 to be in operation by mid- summer. All of these units are functioning flawlessly to date. Total cost per unit, including the Netbook, is approximately $350, with $270 of that coming from an upgrade in operating systems for stability and se- curity purposes. “During our research, we could not find a department or agency in
Arkansas or any other state that was using the small Netbooks for mo- bile computing. Our research also showed us that most agencies spend between $5,000 and $10,000 per unit to purchase the needed hardware, software and accessories that are required to achieve this level of operation on a MDT,” according to the Sheriff. “We hope that our research and testing will be beneficial to other
departments who wish to implement this type of technology into their vehicles and we would be glad to answer any questions that they may have.” Tey may contact Lt. James Martin at 501-622-3662 or jmartin@
garlandcounty.org. It must be noted that this project would not have evolved without the
help, expertise and willingness of ACIC to help us through the process of implementing the Netbooks. “We appreciate all of the help and support that everyone at ACIC has provided!”
– Lt. James Martin Garland County Sheriff’s Department COUNTY LINES, SUMMER 2011
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