Latah County Sheriff's Office to launch new high-tech body and evidence surveillance system Friday – Pullman Radio

The Latah County Sheriff's Office now uses the state of the art in law enforcement technology.

The agency is launching a new system that incorporates cutting-edge technology for deputy and car cameras and evidence recordkeeping. The sheriff's office received a nearly half-million-dollar federal grant from the U.S. Department of Justice for the system, from a company called Utility of Georgia. Federal dollars funded the system, installation in deputy patrol vehicles and training.

High tech connects deputies' and car cameras to the cloud in real time, allowing commanders to instantly see what's happening during patrol. All video and audio are automatically uploaded to the cloud, saving deputies' paperwork and keeping them on patrol. Some Latah County Sheriff's patrol cars now have two AI-enabled bumper cameras that can scan and analyze vehicle license plates. Sheriff Richie Skiles says license plate scanner technology will only be used to search for stolen vehicles and missing children. The system also provides new officer safety features that will send an alert if the deputy needs help.

All 30 Latah County Sheriff's Office patrol vehicles and deputies will use the system starting Friday. Officials demonstrated the system to local reporters on Thursday.

The office is the second law enforcement agency in Idaho to use this new technology.

The Moscow Sheriff's Office has used body cameras since 2007.