Sheriff's Office, GPD Team Up to Go Mobile

The Valley County Sheriff’s Office and the Glasgow Police Department have pooled resources to upgrade their electronic management systems. The upgrade will help the agencies go mobile, which, according to Sheriff Tom Boyer, will put the deputy offices in the streets and out among the residents of Valley County.

The mobile suite will build off the current Zeurcher system which is already utilized by VCSO, GPD, dispatch and the detention center. What the new system and infrastructure will add is the ability for deputies and officers to work cases, write reports, upload pictures and streamline case management while remaining in the communities they are needed to serve.

According to Boyer, the suites will come with secure software, driver’s license scanners and mobile printers to issue e-tickets. It will also have the ability to run basic National Crime Information Center checks which will cut down on the need to query dispatch for each interaction. Boyer believes the increased efficiency and self-reliance of the officers in the field will greatly improve the departments' numbers.

“It’s like adding half an officer per deputy,” explained Boyer discussing the manpower efficiency. He expects that manpower increase to lead to better interactions and visibility with the county and, especially, with outlying areas. All this is accomplished by reducing the need for deputies to return to the office to file reports, upload photographs or manage cases.

“Everything can be done from the office of our vehicles,” said Boyer.

Sergeant Tyler Edwards with the Glasgow Police Department shared Boyer’s excitement. He stated, “Zeurcher Mobile will allow the police department to go completely mobile.”

He stated concerns that in the event of a fire or major event, dispatch is so busy that the ability to continue investigating or policing can be hampered. The ability to run mobile NCIC checks, scan driver’s licenses and print e-citations will greatly facilitate the department.

Edwards also hopes the system will improve information sharing. “It gives us all the inforamtion. It’s not lost in interpretation or relay.”

During the 2016 campaign, Boyer promised that he would work to keep deputies in the communities and out of the office. He said, “This is a huge chunk out of that vision to be in the communities.” Boyer expressed hope that the upgrade could also lead to more times for public outreach with the primary focus being in the schools. Education concerns surrounding vaping, substances and digital behavior are all priorities for law enforcement in the region.

“I want to get out and have a presence in these schools,” said Boyer emphasizing the need for community outreach and crime prevention.

In total, the project will have an initial cost to the county of $56,000, but by teaming up with the Glasgow Police Department that will save the office over $20,000 if they were to go at the project alone. The GPD briefed the City Council at their last meeting that they will be using grant monies to pay for the implementation of the program making it an easy acquisition for the department.

“I’m grateful that we can work together with the Glasgow Police Department,” explained Boyer. “That way we can spread costs and save a little over $20,000 on the system.”

The system is expected to be fully operational in two to three months.