The Poulsbo Police Department, along with five other local law enforcement agencies in Kitsap County, will have a new public safety records management system, increasing the functionality of data, providing new automated interfaces, enhancing case management and allowing for greater collaboration and reporting.
The Poulsbo City Council approved the city police department’s entry into an interlocal agreement with Kitsap County for joint ownership of the new software. For over 20 years, PPD has shared the old system with the five surrounding agencies. The existing system is no longer being improved upon and has come to the end of its useful life, documents read.
“This is an agreement with all the law enforcement agencies in the county to share the records management system that we use for all the operations we conduct,” PPD chief Ron Harding said.
“Our portion of this is 8 percent of the total license users. We are locked in at this rate for the terms of the agreement. It’s been in the works for over two years. It is essential for the operational element of our ability to conduct law enforcement.”
An expenditure of $150,000 is required and is included in the city’s budget.
In a related matter, the council also approved acceptance of the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs Helmet Distribution grant. On March 15, the city was awarded a $1,000 grant for fiscal year 2022 by WASPC. The funding is intended for law enforcement agencies to provide helmets to people who are not wearing a helmet while biking or skateboarding. The program is funded in an effort to reduce traumatic brain injuries throughout the state.
The council also held a Sewer Functional Plan workshop with the sewer Technical Advisory Committee. The presentation covered the technical work that has been completed thus far, the proposed six-year Capital Improvement Plan, Operations and Maintenance sewer staffing assessment, financial analysis and coordination with Kitsap County.
The meeting also marked the first time in over two years that most council members met in person at the City Hall council chambers. The two councilmembers who remained remote were Connie Lord and Jeff McGinty.
