The Technologically Advanced Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office

After a visit to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, I realized that the sheriff’s office has an incredible amount of technology that it utilizes every day. Public Information Officer Deputy Larry McKinnon and Cristal Bermudez in media relations helped better explain their use of new technology in regards to public records.

One of the most efficient changes to the public records system at HCSO is how police officers file general offense information. Officers used to have to write out these reports on paper and these thousands of offense reports began to become a hassle to store and find. Deputy McKinnon said that all of these records were once kept in a large storage facility. Upon entering the building, you could see boxes staked all the way to the roof containing hundreds of different offense reports in each box. Officers can now file these same reports electronically on their laptops. This allows multiple people to review the report at the same time and saves thousands of dollars a month in paper waste.

Also, the sheriff’s office posts some of its public records online. Individual charge reports and other records can now be viewed at a click of a mouse. HCSO’s website can also lead you to press releases that media relations have created in order to inform the public of what is going on with their sheriff’s office. Photos of suspects and even videos can be posted to these press releases. These press releases are also an instant way to deliver information to the media. Users can also find links on these press releases that lead to more public records regarding offenders spoken about in the release. The sheriff’s office even has its own You Tube channel. Here you can view uninterrupted press conferences held by HCSO.

The 911 call center at HCSO also has amazing technology that helps dispatchers send help as quickly as possible. Computers there enable call takers to contact different departments, like EMS, just by clicking a single button. These computers, along with GPS, also track the phones of those calling and can show deputies available in the area that can respond to any emergency.

Overall, I was amazed at how HCSO utilizes so many forms of technology. I can’t wait to see what they’ll come up with next.