The Meridian Star invited some community leaders to write about their top three priorities for 2018. Today’s column is from Billy Sollie, Lauderdale County sheriff.

2018 has the possibility of being the best year in recent history for the Lauderdale County Sheriff Department and Detention Facility.

Since 1998, we have utilized a basic software program to manage our records for both law enforcement and detention. In early 2018, a new more comprehensive software system is being installed that will tie all area first responders together so more data can be collected and shared.

We at the sheriff’s department have never had a Computer Aided Dispatch that can provide all the data of previous events to the responding deputy so that he/she can be better prepared when they arrive on scene.

Also, we are installing a new website for the Lauderdale County Sheriff’s Department in early 2018.

This site will provide instant access to information from our department and rapid access to sharing information from the community back to our agency.

We believe this will strengthen the relationship between us and our partners, the community.

A sneak preview can be viewed by logging into the Kemper County Sheriff’s Office website, as this is the same company that is designing our site.

Lastly, we are going to work daily to provide our men and women with the most advanced training and tools available so that each one will be prepared to hand the constantly more violent world we live in.

It is my prayer that each of our staff is prepared to handle each encounter with professionalism, compassion, care and most importantly, safely.