Monticello Police Chief Jason Akers and MPD officers, Shaun Curtis and William West recently shared about new technology that the department has acquired, often from grants, with the Monticello Rotary Club.
MPD has a rare mobile fingerprinting unit that can help them ID either suspects or victims remotely by syncing to a database- one of very few in the state. They also have a portable device that can ID controlled substances by using a laser, saving extensive time waiting for results from the state crime lab, which is backlogged. Chief Akers said that sometimes evidence being tested takes so long that a possession charge could be proven only after the statute of limitations has passed for the crime.
Generally, the theme of the meeting was that the city force wants to work “smarter not harder” and recent tech advancements keep criminals off the streets and protect citizens and officers effectively and efficiently.
The drone was demonstrated in the Green Room of the Gibson University Center for the club. Officer Shaun Curtis went through training and has a drone with him at all times if the need for one arises. Recent local applications for drone use included finding a disoriented/lost citizen, locating wandering livestock, and tracking a criminal who attempted to flee through heavy brush. The drone cameras have a great zoom quality and also offer heat mapping so night or wooded searches are still possible. The drone can also have a speaker or light attachment for officers to communicate with people, whether a suspect or victims of a disaster or search and rescue mission. The drone speed and camera capabilities allow officers to act more efficiently and safely with their Human Resources.
