WASHINGTON – Today, the US Senate approved Senator Herb Kohl's request to direct $700,000 toward law enforcement technology upgrades in Madison as part of the FY10 Omnibus Appropriations Bill. Kohl is a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee and had identified this project as a priority in funding. 

"Without the appropriate technology and equipment, law enforcement will be unable to perform at the highest level. We have the ability to give them the equipment they need to better serve the community, and this funding will increase the technology capabilities of these departments," Kohl said. T

hrough this funding the City of Madison will be able to complete two technology projects that will expand current technology infrastructure and facilitate crime prevention. First, the Regional Records Management System (RMS) Project will receive equipment, software and technical services to enhance and expand the collaboration between the Madison Police Department and 14 other Police Departments within Dane County to consolidate records and manage information effectively. Second, the Dane County Sheriff's Office/Madison Police Collaborative Forensics Project will receive equipment, software, storage servers, technical assistance and training to further develop a regional digital forensic processing and records management system. This program will enable law enforcement and other governmental agencies to process and store digital information and evidence in a timely manner, and train regional law enforcement forensic staff.              

This funding will further enhance and upgrade information and communication systems infrastructure, and enable the Police Department to continue collaboration with area law enforcement agencies. 

The funding measure was passed by the Senate, and now goes to the President for final approval.   

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