The Turlock Police Department will soon have another arsenal in their crime fighting tool belt as the Turlock City Council approved a measure for the departments to implement the crime database system CopLink.

CopLink is a records management system that gives law enforcement agencies the ability to share information with one another with just a click of the mouse.

The database will hold arrest and accident reports, interview cards, and pretty much any other report generated by the department. Each department using CopLink can access the information supplied by other departments.

“Essentially, it’s a bridge to bring police departments together,” said Turlock Police Lt. Ron Reid.

Currently the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department and the Modesto Police Department are using the system. The departments will also have access to the Orange County records and efforts are being made to expand the system to Sacramento and the Bay Area.

The Ceres Police Department is joining the system at a cost of about $48,000 and is covering the $10,000 cost for Turlock to join as well. Turlock and Ceres police departments have a long-standing partnership, in which they share resources and costs, Reid said.

The software system will cost about $7,300 per year to maintain and will be split among the two agencies.

The Council approved the addition of CopLink with a 4-0 vote, with Councilwoman Amy Bublak recusing herself because of her employment as a Modesto Police officer.