NORTON — The Norton Police Department has been named a recipient of a $48,000, Bryne Justice Administration Grant for updating and improving the department’s current records management system.

The money will be spent on a new server and migration of records from the old records system to the new system. Every officer will also receive a mobile data terminal, which will enable them to do reports in the field.

“More importantly, the new records system will allow the Norton Police Department to interface with numerous law enforcement agencies across the state of Kansas,” NPD Chief Gerry Cullumber said in a news release. “Having this inter-agency compatibility allows the tracking of real time criminal activity while aiding with the criminal apprehension of suspects. It will also allow for the exchange of criminal information between law enforcement agencies utilizing the same records system.”

The system is expected to be in place May 1.

“The citizens of Norton should be proud of their police department as no other agency in the region will possess the technology and information available with the adopted system,” Cullumber said. “Being able to provide this will aid the department with retention and recruitment of officers.”