Agency Leverages Technology For IBR
August 21, 2020 by Kate Nadolski
Using two systems for one process can mean double the work. And no agency – big or small – has time for extra work.
For the Lexington Police Department in Tennessee, these two systems were causing sworn officers to spend double the time on creating accurate reports to be submitted to the state to meet Incident Based Reporting (IBR) standards.
“We used different product for records and court, and they did not talk to each other,” Lexington Police Lieutenant Jason Holmes said. "We had to input information into two completely different systems.”
According to Holmes, the department implemented a user-friendly records management system, and since then, things have been much easier.
“Now that we’re just using one system that meets all of our needs, we only have to enter one entry into the system and the applications share the information,” Holmes said. “This system has saved us money in the long run by not having to use as many hours when entering the information into the system. It complies IBR data automatically, so we no longer need to enter that data into a different software.”
Holmes also explained this technology helped the department perform better policing on a multitude of levels.
“Every agency has tips and tricks that help them when it comes to solving cases,” Homes said. “For us, we’re able to get hits on the system using just nicknames. It’s amazing to help solve a case on just a nickname alone."
For example, Holmes described a time when they had received a call from another agency that had worked a fatal overdose. He said the family of the victim only knew the nickname of the person the victim had bought the drugs from. By searching the records management system with that nickname, officers got a hit, which lead to the arrest of a drug dealer who was believed to be involved.
Holmes said this technology had changed the way officers do their jobs.
“Our technology has made life easier by allowing officers to do all the reporting they need to from their car.” Holmes said. “They can also find the quick access to critical information helpful when on the spot.”