NEW ULM – New Ulm approved purchasing computer information systems mobile field reporting software Tuesday, which hopes to save time and resources for police officers.

The software will cost $17,039. Funds will be coming from the 290 Fund Financial Reserve Account. This is an unplanned purchase which was not included in the budget. Police Chief Dave Borchert said it will greatly enhance an officer’s capability on the street.

“It gives them the ability for data retention and accessing data regularly from the squad car,” he said. Everything they normally would have to go back to the station to access, they’re able to do online from the squad cars. It really helps and assists the whole criminal justice team.”

Information police officers previously needed to radio in to dispatch for will now be at their fingertips. With this technology, Borchert said it will efficiently reduce the time something would usually take.

“Normally something would take three hours,” he said. “You could probably cut 25% off of that. That’s significant.”

Borchert said he and his staff are always trying to find ways to deliver services in the most efficient way possible while making wise use of time. He said now is the right time because Brown County has been testing out the service, and the response has been favorable.

There are no extra physical installations required. Councilor Les Schultz asked if there is an ongoing fee for this or only a one-time cost. Borchert said after the initial purchase, it would be $250 a year for maintenance costs.

Schultz made the motion to approve the purchase of computer information systems mobile field reporting software, with Councilor Dave Christian seconding. The motion was approved unanimously.

It will take around a month for the software to be implemented.

“It’s them verifying everything’s in place for the purchase order,” Borchert said. “After this, I’ll have to go get a purchase order. I can’t do the application until they permit it, because it wasn’t in the budget for this year.”