Minot Police Embrace Advanced Technology to Enhance Law Enforcement
Minot, ND—The Minot Police Department, along with the Ward County Sheriff’s Office, underscores the critical role technology plays in modern law enforcement. From real-time body camera feeds to drone surveillance, advancements are reshaping public safety strategies.
“An important upgrade has been our body camera system,” stated Capt. Justin Sundheim. Officers can now stream live footage back to the police station, allowing supervisors to assess situations directly during emergencies. This integration enables better communication between officers and dispatchers, enhancing on-scene safety.
Innovative technologies like GPS tracking and drone usage are pivotal. Though drones have been deployed sparingly—under five times in the past year—they were recently used to conduct traffic assessments following a school’s reopening. However, their usage is strictly regulated, requiring either emergencies or warrants to activate.
The department is also considering the installation of License Plate Readers (LPR) to help identify vehicles involved in crime. Sundheim noted that 85% of crimes have a vehicle connection, making LPR technology vital in identifying stolen or wanted vehicles. However, privacy concerns have postponed this proposal.
The sheriff’s department has ambitions for LPR technology as well, currently incorporating it into a single patrol vehicle. Successful deployments have directly led to stolen vehicle recoveries. Despite the advantages, both departments maintain that verification of scanned data is critical due to potential misreadings.
With increasing reliance on digital evidence, officers receive ongoing training to manage sufficient digital resources effectively. Despite the fiscal challenges associated with technology maintenance and software, Sundheim reinforces that these innovations enhance efficiency and responsiveness in serving the community.
As law enforcement advances, there remains a critical balance between leveraging technology for public safety and addressing privacy concerns, ensuring a transparent and responsible approach to modern policing.
Note: The image is for illustrative purposes only and is not the original image associated with the presented article. Due to copyright reasons, we are unable to use the original images. However, you can still enjoy the accurate and up-to-date content and information provided.
