Getac Rugged Laptops Deployed by Nelson County Sheriff's Department to Improve Officer Efficiency, Productivity and Safety

Getac S410 Laptop Survives Police Patrol Car Fire, Preserving Critical Data While Demonstrating Extreme Durability

IRVINE, Calif., Oct. 1, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Getac North America, a subsidiary of Getac Technology Corporation and a leading provider of rugged computing solutions with advanced in-house manufacturing capabilities (Getac), announced that the Nelson County Sheriff's Department in North Dakota has deployed Getac S410 rugged laptops to improve efficiency, productivity, security, and communication for officers across the 1,000-square-mile county.

The Nelson County Sheriff's Department needed to replace its outdated in-car devices while maximizing a limited budget. Previously, officers used consumer-grade laptops secured with Velcro in patrol vehicles, which posed both safety and functionality challenges in the field. With only five officers in the force and a large area to cover, the need for rugged, dependable, and connected technology was critical.

Proof of the S410's durability came during a routine visit to the courthouse when Nelson County Sheriff Kurt Schwind received an alert that his patrol vehicle had caught fire. While remaining secured in its vehicle dock, the laptop was exposed to three fire extinguishers and about 150 gallons of water before the fire was put out. Although the laptop was physically melted shut, when it was pried open and powered on, the login screen appeared. Remarkably, after sitting in storage for a month, the S410 retained its battery power and functioned normally, preserving critical data and helping officers avoid hours of redoing paperwork.

"In this type of rural environment, it's important that our officers are in constant communication with each other connectivity-wise, especially if you're calling in for backup," said Kurt Schwind, Sheriff of Nelson County. "After the fire, I knew I had to reach out to Getac and let them know what kind of product they have here. It was simply amazing to me." 

After evaluating several options and leveraging federal and state grant funds, Schwind selected the Getac S410 for its performance, durability, and value. The new setup enables officers to quickly file reports and communicate effectively, significantly reducing time spent on administrative tasks and allowing more focus on community engagement.

Beyond its field-tested fire resilience, the S410 offers features designed for demanding field environments, including a hot-swappable battery for extended shifts, built to handle harsh weather and terrain conditions and reliable wireless connectivity – making it ideal for law enforcement, first responders and field service professionals. It's certified to military standards, resists splashes, drops, and vibration, and has sealed ports and a heavy-duty keyboard.

"We design our products to perform in real-world challenges," said Charlie Gibbs, Director of Product Solutions at Getac. "We also prioritize reliability to ensure law enforcement departments, like Nelson County, can focus on their critical work rather than on their technology."

Getac remains committed to supporting first responders by delivering reliable, high-performance technology built for the extreme demands of the field. By equipping first responders with tools they can count on, Getac helps ensure they can stay focused on their mission: protecting the public, responding quickly in emergencies, and making informed decisions under pressure.

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About Getac

Getac Technology Corporation is a global leader in AI-capable rugged mobile technology and intelligent video solutions, including laptops, tablets, software, body-worn cameras, in-car video systems, digital evidence management and enterprise video analytics solutions. Getac's solutions and services are designed to enable extraordinary experiences for frontline workers in challenging environments. Today, Getac serves customers in over 100 countries spanning defense, public safety, ambulance, fire & rescue, utilities, automotive, natural resources, manufacturing, transport, and logistics. Getac was recently recognized as one of Newsweek's "World's Most Trustworthy Companies" for 2024. For more information, visit: https://www.getac.com. Participate in the Getac Industry blog or follow the company on LinkedIn and YouTube.

Getac and Getac logo are trademarks of Getac Holdings Corporation or its affiliates. Other brands or trademarks are the property of their respective owners. ©2025 Getac Technology Corporation.

For more information, contact:

Kendra Dorr (on behalf of Getac)
The Hoffman Agency
[email protected]

SOURCE Getac