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Bonner County Justice Services authorized to seek grant for device-screening tool for probation officers
Summary
The board approved Justice Services’ request to apply for a grant to obtain a device-screening tool that would indicate possible contraband or exploitation materials on devices of people on probation; staff noted legal review and that follow-up search authority rests with law enforcement and courts.
Bonner County commissioners authorized Justice Services to apply for a grant to obtain a device-screening tool that would help probation officers detect indications of contraband or child-exploitation material on electronic devices of people on probation.
Director of Justice Services Ron Stoltz described the tool as an instrument that does not itself display content but can indicate whether a device contains material warranting a fuller forensic examination by authorities with search authority. Stoltz said the county obtained a legal opinion that, in most cases, a condition of probation includes consent to searches and that probation officers — not detention officers — would use the screening tool as part of supervision.
Stoltz said that if the screening indicates a potential issue, Justice Services would notify the agencies with authority to conduct full searches and investigations. He emphasized that the device is intended as a screening aid and that subsequent investigative steps would follow existing legal and court procedures.
The board approved the motion to authorize the grant application. No detailed grant amount or vendor model was specified in the meeting transcript.
Ending
Justice Services will prepare and submit the grant application and report the application’s outcome and any procurement details back to the board.
