SPECIAL REPORT Top 12 Public Safety Apps for 2016


useful for planning trips across state borders. It also gives one-touch access to local law enforcement in every state.


U.S. Cop App Holdings


iOS, Android; $5.99


Available on iTunes and Google Play Store, this comprehensive app contains more than 1,400 pages of content related to, among other things, accident investiga- tion formulas, law-enforcement training modules, video tutorials, police news, and up-to-date case law information. With more than 1,000 pages of content,


this is one of the best available mobile ap- plications for police offi cers. Organized into several sections such as Case Law, Training and Traffi c, this app provides information on everything from pill iden- tifi cation to license plate laws. Subsections feature interview reminders, equations, and other information that help offi cers safely complete thorough investigations.


www.droidlaw.com Android; Free


Droid Law


A great legal resource for criminal jus- tice on the go, Droid Law makes it easy to quickly reference many aspects of the law. From federal and state laws to a seemingly endless list of regulations, codes and procedures, this legal database has everything related to legal reference that a police offi cer could need. Droid Law lets users quickly bookmark, high- light, and add notes to text. It includes federal rules of civil procedure, evidence, and criminal procedure.


fi rst responders, in CPR and basic fi rst aid, this app is still a good reference. Most of us need an occasional refresher of what to do in an emergency situation if one of your teammates or partners is injured and needs immediate assistance. The offi cial American Red Cross First


Aid app puts expert advice for everyday emergencies in your hand. This app gives you instant access to the information you need to know to handle the most com- mon fi rst-aid emergencies.


an officer can use it as well. Though it may not be admissible in court, an officer can use it as a primary mea- sure of whether a driver is intoxi- cated before spending any more time carrying out the official DUI tests on a subject. While many smaller police depart-


iOS, Android, Tablets; Free Google Maps


New patrolmen benefi t from a good map app when learning the streets of their beats, but tactical offi cers really fi nd Google maps handy. With this app, you can use Google’s satellite views to fi nd points of entry and exit routes (and alternate routes) when ex- ecuting search warrants, to measure distance, and to fi nd emergency routes when you can’t use the fi rst or most di- rect route.


www.IntelliDrink.com iOS; $2.99


Blood Alcohol Content Calculator


Red Cross First Aid www.redcross.org/mobile-apps/ iOS, iPad, Android; Free


Although police offi cers are trained as 40 LAW and ORDER I April 2016


The core concept of IntelliDrink PRO is based on the scientifically accepted Widmark formula, which is used by the German justice system. This for- mula allows you to check your BAC based on how many grams of alcohol you ingested. But this formula does not consider only the amount of time it takes you to ingest a drink, the content level of your stomach, or the speed of your metabolism—it takes all of these factors into consideration because it uses precise algorithm. While civilians may use this to fig- ure out if they’re too drunk to drive,


ments have the budgets to supply all of their officers with department- issued smartphones, many first re- sponders in larger departments don’t have that luxury, but often use their personal cell phones to download apps they think will come in handy at work. Despite the benefits of using today’s technology to aid in their du- ties, using their personal cell phones can have negative results too because there can come a time when data on their personal phones can be subpoe- naed. For example, say a law enforce-


ment officer is involved in an on- duty shooting. And the officer’s partner takes photographs or video of the scene using his cell phone. Could the photos or video on the officer’s cell phone be used as evi- dence in a criminal trial related to the shooting? Most likely, yes. This is something an officer has to consider when using a personal smartphone for work-related duties. At the end of the day, it’s up to


each individual officer to figure out if they want to use their personal cell phone for work, but one thing is for sure: These apps are some of the best resources an officer can have in his pocket.


Yesenia Duran is a Technical Editor for LAW and ORDER Magazine.


LaO Post your comments on this story by visiting www.lawandordermag.com


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