The Minneapolis Police Department and University of Minnesota Police Department implemented a new police records management system earlier this month, replacing their previous system which had been in use since 1990.
The Police Information Management System replaced the previous Computer Assisted Police Records System in early June. Officials say this new system brings the police departments up to date with current technological standards and allows for more detailed data collection during reporting.
MPD spokesperson John Elder said the system upgrade was extremely necessary, adding CAPRS was “outdated” and “lagged behind as the years went on.”
“We now have the latest and greatest technology,” Elder said.
The PIMS software, developed by Ottawa-based developer Versaterm, makes search queries simpler and allows officers to gather more data on individuals. Some of the new features include vehicle descriptions, links between associated persons and an interactive mapping system in reports.
The linking system displays an individual’s partners, family members and other associates with a police record, which allows viewers to see police activity the person may be related to.
Added queries and data points in PIMS can identify suspects, witnesses and victims easier than the previous system. Nicknames and other aliases can also be viewed in reports, which was not possible with CAPRS. The older system only allowed viewers access to the time, address, names of parties, basic descriptions and a brief summary of events.
UMPD Sergeant Thomas Bohrer and MPD Lieutenant Richard Sheldon discussed the system change at a Southeast Como Improvement Association meeting in June. Bohrer said the new system helps clarify specific details and eliminate assumptions for viewers.
“The system is better for statistics because it’s more accurate and straightforward,” Bohrer said.
MPD Lieutenant Gregory Reinhardt, who serves as the MPD Information Technology manager, has worked to implement training for MPD officers and troubleshoot problems with the PIMS system in the past days.
Elder said PIMS has a steep learning curve, and the new features may not be fully implemented in reports until officers are fully trained in the program.
