Sheriff’s office unveils new records management system
New setup will provide real-time crime data and will improve communication
The Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office launched a new records management system on Tuesday that officials said will provide the public with real-time crime data and should also improve communication between deputies and other law enforcement agencies.
Sheriff Manuel Gonzales said the office will eventually have an easier time sharing reports and documents with prosecutors, and it may speed up the office’s response to Inspection of Public Records Act requests.
“We wanted to be able to regionalize our approach to law enforcement, and that means sharing information,” Gonzales said.
The county has been working on updating its records system for nearly two years, Gonzales said. After putting out a request for proposals, the sheriff’s office tapped Motorola as the vendor for the new records system, which went live on Tuesday.
The exact terms and a copy of the contract were unavailable Tuesday, but Gonzales said it cost the county about $2 million. Other departments in Bernalillo County, such as the fire department, will use the same system, he said.
On the sheriff’s website — bernalillocountysheriff.com — residents can see how they can use the
new program. The county has live crime maps there, where people can look at street blocks throughout the county and see how many and what types of crimes were reported to deputies over a given time.
People also can register their personal security cameras with the county. Capt. Justin Dunlap said the sheriff’s office won’t be able to view the cameras in real time, but if they are registered then deputies can ask for footage if there is a crime nearby.
He also said the new records system allows people to submit tips to the sheriff’s office.