The Michigan Shared Information Network Consortium (SINC) utilizes information sharing to provide better services to its residents.. SINC has been a New World customer since its inception in 1996, using its Aegis Public Safety software on the IBM iSeries platform.
"We decided it was time to migrate to a Windows solution for several reasons, including training new employees, ease of use, the familiarity of the system, and the overall features of Windows," said Deputy Chief Jim Sclater, SINC project manager, Brownstown, Mich. "Many officers and dispatchers are computer savvy today, so this will greatly reduce the training time."
"When New World demonstrated its Aegis/MSP solution, we saw many impressive features," said Sclater. "For example, we will have real-time access to all pertinent information on a person in a single window, such as any priors, mug shot, and all other information gathered on an individual."
What makes this consortium unique is that SINC is one of the first organized partnerships in the United States comprised of municipal law enforcement agencies without any county involvement. By combining the resources and funds of the agencies, it allows each agency to benefit from a robust and comprehensive solution.
The consortium shares everything from records databases to hardware systems and software applications. This provides each city access to more data that can help solve cases, reduce crime and provide better service to its communities.
Members of the Michigan SINC include the cities of Trenton, Gibraltar, Rockwood, Flat Rock, Brownstown Township, Grosse Ile and Riverview as well as the 33rd District Court. What makes this consortium unique is that SINC is one of the first organized partnerships, in the United States, comprised of municipal law enforcement agencies without any county involvement.
Before the idea of a partnership was even discussed, some of the departments were already contemplating over their ever-increasing technology needs. Trenton was one of the departments that realized its computer system would not be Y2K compliant in time for 2000; without an upgrade, the entire system would be rendered obsolete.
The Trenton Police Department knew that the software and hardware system would be a substantial investment, and thought other communities might be in the same situation. Each of the original six consortium police chiefs supported the idea of pooling resources and sharing information. But, finalizing the partnership still required extensive research, budget crunching and some polite convincing.
As technologically advanced as CAD and Records Management software programs are, the cost of licensing such products can become extensive, particularly for smaller departments.
The 33rd District Court created a technology fund to help support the project. The technology fund is financed through fines and court costs levied on convicted people. With a combination of the technology fund and proportionate money from each agency, the consortium project was financed.
"It was a pretty big task, but I know we can all say the work was well worth the rewards," said Deputy Chief Jim Sclater of the Brownstown Township Police Department.
It is estimated that the agencies in the consortium have immediate access to information on more than 200,000 individuals, including addresses, makes of vehicles and crime specifics. Without the consortium, even Trenton, the group's second largest member, would have access to only a third of those records.
Sharing database information gives the consortium an invaluable tool that can help prevent crime. The ability to search the database for suspect names, vehicles, confiscated property and criminal MO's are some examples of widely used features. Access to additional information increases the police department's ability to service the public and it allows dispatchers to notify field officers of potentially dangerous circumstances.
"Ultimately, what we're doing is enhancing the quality of life for everyone in the area, because we're better equipped to handle crime investigation," said Grosse Ile Township Police Chief William Barron.
Instead of scrambling to find a lower quality alternative, non-integrated system, Chief Paul Lehr of Gibraltar had the option of supporting the consortium's concept. For him and the department, the decision was clear.
"We all see the benefits from this," Lehr said. "There's no way we could have ever funded a system this extensive without the help of this group. Without the SINC project, our community would be continuing to use the bare minimum of what's available in public safety software."
Lehr and Rockwood Chief Russ VanWassehnova lead the two smallest agencies in the consortium. VanWassehnova said the cost of the entire system is something his department would never have dreamed of spending on its own. By pooling resources, the city now equally shares data with its neighbors.
"It gives us another timely investigative tool," VanWassehnova said. "The cost to have done this alone would have been tremendous. As our community grows, we will have state-of-the-art capabilities."
In order to help get the consortium off the ground, Trenton offered to supply the primary system administrator for the first two years. Each department maintains its own personnel records, and a local administrator/point of contact is appointed for each agency. Because each department has its own dispatch center, which requires quick access to information, the consortium installed a reliable wide area network between them.
The members drafted a consortium agreement that governs the group's activities. The departments enjoy more direct contact and developed procedures that spill over into areas affecting departmental support. Dispatchers and desk officers, who generally stay at department headquarters, help train peers in other communities. Now, SINC is a virtual model for law enforcement agencies throughout the country.
