Asset tracking for law enforcement has come a long way. Agencies used to depend on handwritten logbooks when managing evidence and assets, but this process has proved to be unreliable as things often fall through the cracks. It’s simply not meant for keeping up with the increasing needs for tracking of today’s modern police departments.
The good news is that over time, different kinds of tracking software have emerged to make evidence and asset tracking a breeze. They allow officers to save time in the property and evidence room, resulting in getting more done in less time.
Asset Tracking in 2021
One groundbreaking innovation in asset tracking is barcode scanning and management software. This tool has proven itself as effective for inventorying and managing both assets and evidence for law enforcement agencies. When it comes to advantages, the biggest advantage is that officers and evidence custodians no longer have to make do with manually listing down what goes in and out of the P&E room.
Each asset is assigned a barcode, and that barcode contains all the information about the item. Anytime it needs to be checked out to be used or maintained, it goes through the process of scanning for logging purposes and traceability, and the gets scanned another time once it’s checked in. It’s just like checking books in and out of a library, yet it does wonders for organizing the P&E room!
The Origins of the Barcode
Early in its inception, barcode scanning was primarily used in collecting product data in supermarkets. When managers realized that they needed to find a way to ensure that the products their customers wanted were on-hand at all times, they devised a way to keep tabs on goods more efficiently.
This eventually paved the way for barcode standardization—one of the most profound innovations in logistics, and now, law enforcement. With a barcode and a reliable scanner, data entry errors were almost completely eliminated, and storing and referencing collected data using a database revolutionized the way in which data gathering and reporting are conducted. What’s more, agencies are able to tailor solutions according to their needs.
Combined Evidence and Asset Tracking Software
Properly tracked, stored, and managed evidence is the key to solving crimes. In fact, evidence is often considered weightier than witness testimonies. After all, a witness can lie, but fingerprints, smoking guns, and DNA cannot. As such, it is of grave importance for law enforcement organizations to employ the latest evidence tracking technologies.
It’s also worth noting that as assets and equipment have grown to be more sophisticated and expensive, a state-of-the-art asset tracking system is non-negotiable. It lets agencies track whether a piece of equipment has been checked in or out, who currently has it, who has previously handled it, what condition it’s currently in, when it’s due for maintenance, and so much more.
Though it may seem like a trivial clerical concern, proper management of evidence and assets is one of the most important factors to an organized P&E room, and a successfully functioning department overall. Software-based evidence and asset tracking minimizes mishandling, loss, purging mistakes and more. For a powerful combination software that can transform your department, select tracking software like PMI Evidence Tracker™ that can manage both your department’s evidence and its assets.
Equip Your Department with the Right Tools
As technology evolves, so too must law enforcement. After all, there are technologies out there capable of making their job easier. Law enforcement organizations should seize these opportunities to make their investigations faster and more efficient. While the task of shifting to a new system might seem challenging, it is important for every organization to improve its operations—especially when it comes to crime and law enforcement.
If you’re looking for a powerful asset and evidenced management system, give us a call at PMI Evidence Tracker™. Our system was designed for Cops by Cops, and we provide law enforcement agencies with affordable and easy-to-use systems to transform their P&E rooms. Contact us today.
