NATCHEZ — The Natchez Police Department will soon be running software that will allow the department to issue electronic tickets and get NPD, the jail and municipal court on one system.

The Natchez Board of Aldermen approved last week new software for the department at the request of Chief Daniel White.

The city budgeted for the software under former information technology director Ed Bowser during the current fiscal year’s budget.

The initial cost for the software is more than $6,000, then an annual hosting fee of $28,000, NPD Capt. Scott Frye said.

The software will allow officers to check licenses on the scene and utilize other technology that will save them and increase efficiency on patrol.

Ward 2 Alderman Billie Joe Frazier questioned why the new software was necessary since the city and county were consolidating their dispatch centers.

Frye explained the software had nothing to do with dispatch and was essentially a reporting making software with a web-based  service so officers can log in and use it.

With training and installation, Frye said the software would be up and running in approximately two months.