(TNS) — As technology in the law enforcement field continues to advance, from patrols to crime scene processing, local agencies are embracing those advances and incorporating them into their daily operations.
For the Mason City Police Department and Cerro Gordo County Sheriff's Office, the implementation of both new and not-so-new technology has not only made workflows more efficient, but also enhanced public safety.
recording equipment
Since 2022 and 2017, MCPD and the Sheriff's Office have utilized current body camera and voice recorder systems. Dash cams are also used on all police officers and police vehicles. Although not new to the general law enforcement world, recording devices have proven invaluable to officers and agents in the field, and have also proven invaluable to prosecutors in convicting criminals. You can also provide footage.
In July 2022, MCPD began using Getac, a mobile video integration system that allows officers to view video streaming from multiple cameras simultaneously.
“The current Getac system allows for multiple screens,” said Mason City Police Chief Jeff Brinkley. “The officer’s (body) camera, the front of the car (160 degrees or what the camera captures), the back seat, and any other cameras in the car are all displayed on one screen.”
Brinkley said the system helps ensure the accuracy of incident reports filed by officers after responding to a scene. “Our officers are currently reviewing a number of videos to make sure they are correct before making the report,” Brinkley said. “That what they write is how they remembered it, and [the incident] That's how it worked. ”
Cerro Gordo County Sheriff Kevin Pulse said the Getac system used by MCPD is not yet in use at the sheriff's office, but the department is working on implementing it.
Although each agency uses different systems, Pulse and Brinkley said footage captured by audio and video recording systems can help document the incident as a public record.
MCPD was able to avoid lawsuits by disgruntled residents who had encounters with officers. Evidence from officers' audio recorders revealed wrongdoing by the department.
“Two years ago, we were named in a civil case and we were like, 'We didn't do anything wrong,'” Brinkley recalled. “I called my attorney and he said, 'Hey, I got a police report and the officer was wearing a body mic.' I can hear the whole conversation, so I said, 'Hey, I can tell you exactly what happened. I said, 'Yo.'
Brinkley said the lawsuit was dropped within days of being filed.
The sheriff's office does not receive many complaints against the sheriff, but those that did were quickly ignored.
“We have yet to receive a valid officer complaint because the officer was caught on camera not doing what he was accused of,” Pulse said.
In other instances, heroic actions were also recorded on body cameras. Brinkley said such recordings not only highlight the work of officers at the scene, but also train officers to use video to explain quick thinking and proper procedural tactics at the scene. He said it is also perfect for
He pointed to an incident in which police officers responded to a call of a farmer in Mason City who was trapped under an overturned tractor.
Officers Jim Redeker and Josh Madore, Officer Ben Vandenbroucke and Sergeant Terrence Prochaska received the Mason City Lifesaving Award for their work in saving Joey Sherman's life. They lifted the tractor off of Mr. Sherman and two bystanders, Mr. Merle and Kelly Broxhus, helped pull the man out from under the farm vehicle.
Pals said the use of cameras protects individuals involved with law enforcement as well if questions arise about how a case is handled.
“This keeps us (law enforcement) honest as well,” Pulse said.
Pulse said that since 2018, his agents have also been using a cell phone app called Ops that allows responding officers to take photos at the scene and immediately upload them to the incident's case file. It is said that there is. This system allows for a smoother workflow, as lawmakers no longer need to carry camera equipment or spend time transferring images from memory cards to computers.
Gunshot detection
Another tool the Mason City Police Department has acquired is a gunshot detection system. The system runs on solar energy and alerts police when gunshots are detected within city limits. Brinkley said the system, which has receivers installed throughout the city, not only pinpoints the location of shots fired, but also detects the caliber of the gun. The system was established in response to a rise in gun-related crimes.
”[With the city’s] This was an obvious decision after the mass shootings that occurred in 2021 and 2022. We needed to do something,” Brinkley said.
The detectors are just one part of a multifaceted system the department uses to reduce gun violence in Mason City, with special attention to the downtown area.
The array of cameras, device detectors and license plate readers will help solve — and Brinkley hopes to stop — violent crimes.
“A lot of it is concentrated in downtown areas,” Brinkley said. “In places that regularly get tourists, we have regular visits just to provide an extra level of security and investigative resources in case something happens.” We will provide a video.”
Device detectors and license plate readers do not provide real-time information about the public, but are used when investigating crime scenes. Device Detector provides device ID, but cannot collect personal information from your system. The detector will only indicate that someone with a cell phone or tablet was in the area. Since many people carry some kind of device with them, this tool can help police determine if a human was present at the time of the call. Police officers will be able to more easily identify whether the alarm system was triggered by a person, a false alarm, or something else is wrong. A person who may be a witness to a particular crime scene.
Similarly, Brinkley said license plate readers will not be used to collect real-time personal data. These are used solely as research tools during the investigation. This data shows vehicles that were near the crime scene and identifies their drivers as potential witnesses to the proceedings or if a witness comes forward by providing a description or part of the license plate number. It can also indicate whether a vehicle was near the scene.
home security system
Pulse and Brinkley expressed their gratitude to residents who have home security systems. The availability of affordable, do-it-yourself home cameras like Ring has led more Americans to step up their home security efforts. Cameras deter criminals and footage from cameras can be used in criminal investigations.
The more residents who have cameras, the better, Pulse and Brinkley said.
“We encourage everyone to have a home camera,” Pals said. “We know that recently, in the last few months, several cases have been solved from home video.”
mental health
In early 2023, MCPD introduced new technology as a way to alleviate situations where individuals are experiencing a mental health crisis.
LVM Systems' mental health screening app is installed on every police officer's mobile phone and helps police officers assess their behavior by assessing a person's behavior and providing a record of past incidents with subjects who have had repeated contact with police. You can now view notes and previous status reports about a person.
Brinkley said the app is widely used in Canada, but Iowa is currently only one of two U.S. states using the app.
This app helps individuals determine if it is safe to be alone or if medical attention is required. Information about factors such as an individual's mental state, behavior, and drug and alcohol use is entered into the app. The software makes an assessment and calculates a score based on those factors to inform the officer's decision on how to handle the situation.
“LVM is like an affirmation for police officers that they're making the right decisions,” Brinkley said. “We are assessing whether they are a danger to themselves or others and what their ability is to care for themselves.”
If a subject needs to be transported, officers can notify the local health center through the app, so health care providers can quickly admit and treat the subject.
Brinkley said that while subject safety is paramount, the app has other benefits as well. The assessment tool helps reduce the number of arrests because police know it's a mental health crisis, not a disturbance.
© 2024 Globe Gazette, Mason City, Iowa. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
