Cops link up across county

Police Chief Mike Sellers’ world of crime fighting is shrinking.

The police department will soon be able to participate in a coalition of countywide law enforcement agencies sharing criminal records, allowing greater access to information.

The City Council approved the program, called a joint-powers authority, on March 7.

Through software called Coplink, the Laguna police department will have the ability to search various databases across the county.

The coalition, known as the Integrated Law and Justice Agency of Orange County, will govern the use of database records from police, courts and corrections departments.

“It allows us to look at things we didn’t have before,” Sellers said.

Through the linking of criminal records across the county, new leads on cases will develop, Sellers said.

In an example, criminal activity involving a “yellow Nissan pickup” may be the only clue available. A query into Coplink for a “yellow Nissan pickup” may produce records of citations and persons associated as drivers and passengers in that type of vehicle.

A known burglar issued a speeding ticket in a yellow Nissan pickup in another town may prove to be a viable suspect in a case, Sellers said.

“One thing links to another. This will allow us to do a better and faster job,” he continued, adding that he believes the new system may be running by summer.

The technology will run on the existing communications systems of the department, with minimal additional training of personnel.

As of last Thursday, 11 out of the 21 police departments in Orange County have joined the new agency, Sellers said.

The program was initiated in 1997 by the Orange County Police Chiefs Association, and is funded with $4 million to $5 million in grants.