PENDLETON, Ore. (AP) — In an effort to save time and money, Morrow County is switching to a video conferencing system that allows law enforcement officers to make video appearances before grand juries.
The East Oregonian newspaper (http://is.gd/TB5lFi ) reports that the change eliminates hour-long trips for officers commuting to the Heppner courthouse from Boardman and Irrigon.
Boardman Police Chief Rick Stokoe says the use of video cuts down on travel time and the time an officer has to sit in the courthouse waiting to testify. That frees officers to take more calls.
The system also cuts down on overtime pay and gasoline expenses.
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Information from: East Oregonian, http://www.eastoregonian.info
