PORTAGE | Portage police will be one of the first in Indiana to be able to scan a stopped motorist's license and registration, then print off electronic tickets right in their squad cars.

The police department Thursday announced that it will be deploying the statewide electronic Citation and Warning System (eCWS) thanks to a grant from the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute.

Officers will be using hand-held scanners to read the bar codes on motorists' licenses and registrations. The officers will fill in a few pieces of information -- like what the person is being ticketed for -- then will use an in-car printer to print an easy-to-read paper ticket for the motorist. The officer can put four charges on one electronic ticket, instead of the old way of having to handwrite four separate tickets.

Portage police Sgt. John Ryan said time it will take to issue a ticket will drop, getting motorists and officers on their way more quickly.

"Providing officers with this system will reduce their time on the roadside and doing paperwork," Ryan said. "That means they will have more time to be on patrol serving our citizens. In the future, the e-citation system will also give officers the ability to get up-to-date information on anyone stopped for an infraction, improving officer safety."

Ryan said the city is fortunate that grant money was available so that local funds didn't have to be used.

The Indiana State Police and Valparaiso are among those who are currently using the system.