Porter County Sheriff's Department

Porter County Sheriff .com Wins Award

U.S. Department of Justice says 

Web site should serve as model for others

The Justice Department thinks the Porter County Sheriff's Department accomplished both missions with its Web site -- www.portercountysheriff.com. As a result, the Justice Department and the Law Enforcement Coordinating Committee this week presented Porter County Sheriff David Reynolds with an Exemplary Law Enforcement Program Award. It was one of only three such awards given out in the northern third of the state.  "The Sheriff's Department received (the award) for the innovative and effective use of the Internet and a Web site to communicate with the public and vice versa," said David Capp, U.S. attorney for the Northern District. "A number of people told me the Web site is far and away the leading law enforcement Web site in the state of Indiana." Reynolds said his department's Web site features information that can definitely help the public, like tips for senior citizens who want to avoid being crime victims. It also publicizes the Safe Schools Hot-Line, has a list of wanted felons and has a sex offender registry.  It also lets the public get to know the police department, with photographs of the officers and explanations of the specialty units like the SWAT Team. Most importantly, the public can e-mail the sheriff with suggestions or crime tips.  The Web page was put together and is updated by dispatcher Chris Sears. "Without question, we would not have this caliber of Web page if not for Chris Sears," Reynolds said. "What makes it responsive to the public is it's updated almost every day. ... The worst thing you can do is put together a Web page and never update it." The Web site has received 30,000 hits in the two years it has been operational.