Changes coming to Airway Heights records

Police Department’s partnering with Sheriff’s Office for management services will cost far less than installation of a new system

The Airway Heights Police Department is getting ready to change how they manage their reports and records.

During an April 13 study session, Police Chief Lee Bennett informed the City Council that the department is looking to partner with the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office for a new records management system. The department currently uses Spillman Technology Inc.’s Millennium software which Bennett said is “coming to the end of its use.”

“Spillman doesn’t support the Millenium software anymore,” Bennett said.

Bennett added that the city’s IT crew is helping maintain the department’s current record management system until it purchases a new one.

Spillman Technologies is the leading source of law enforcement and public safety software, providing products, training, support, and services, according to its website. Bennett explained that purchasing a new system from Spillman will cost the city $250,000.

According to Bennett, it will cost $26,000 to initially partner with the Sheriff’s Office. The city will pay $4,000 per year to help pay for maintenance.

“It saves the department a lot of money as opposed to if we had gone with purchasing a new system,” Bennett said. “The sharing of system also allows Airway Heights to keep track of offenders who continue to give us trouble.”

Liberty Lake Police Chief Brian Asmus said his department is also partnering with the county and the city of Spokane for a new records management system.

“It’s financially feasible for us,” Asmus said. “It’s also more effective sharing of records.

All cities and the county will have access to the system as opposed to separate silos.”

The Airway Heights Police Department currently has a contract with the county for dispatch and other services. According to Bennett, Airway Heights has always used the county’s dispatch free of charge. In 2006, the two agencies entered into an agreement.

“Even though we helped the county and they’ve helped us, the contract became a necessity,” Bennett said. “It came up because of the increase in calls. City Manager Albert Tripp and I talked about it and we thought a contract with the county was fair.”

Bennett added that the collaboration between the two departments over the years has been a good one.

“We couldn’t ask for a better service and partnership,” Bennett said.

Al Stover can be reached at [email protected].

 

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