Building Trust with the Community Using Sheriff’s Apps

Ken Schul

(Retired Captain, CMPD), Director, StackBench

Trust is the basis of all good and solid relationships. Whether it is a personal relationship, professional, or the rapport between sheriff’s deputies and the community they serve, trust is always at the core. Law enforcement agencies can build trust with citizens by utilizing a Sheriff App.

Community Engagement App

When building trust between law enforcement and the public, improving communication is one of several ways to enhance interactions between police officers, sheriff’s deputies, and the community. A Police Community App can make a positive impact on communication within a city or county. For instance, by implementing a Community Engagement App into law enforcement’s daily operations, citizens are more likely to contact the police. An application is a convenient way to connect to law enforcement. Traditional methods of contacting police officers and sheriff's deputies include landline telephones, emails if the information needed is not urgent, or going to the police station to speak with an officer. Though these ways of communication are still valid and are used today, adding a police and sheriff app may increase engagement as a whole.

Most of society has a smartphone and within that smartphone are applications that individuals use daily. When a law enforcement agency offers their community members a Sheriff App, that directly connects them with deputies, it enhances communication and public safety. A Community Engagement App cultivates community policing. Approximately 81 percent of law enforcement agencies across the country use community policing. What is community policing? This concept, which has been adopted in recent years, entails law enforcement and citizens working together in a sense with the common goal of maintaining public safety. For example, if several community members report drive-by shootings in a particular area of town, then Command Staff can direct their police officers and sheriff deputies to closely patrol that specific area. When there is a strong law enforcement presence, crime is likely to reduce in that section of town. In addition, when law enforcement is patrolling closely to a specific area known to have an increased crime rate, officers and deputies may be able to apprehend suspects quickly.

A Community Engagement App helps the public report helpful leads and information to their local sheriff’s office. The more intel law enforcement has, the better they can patrol the area. In turn, a Police Community App makes it easy for a law enforcement agency to share information with the public they serve. A Sheriff App such as UCP Sheriff from StackBench enables Command Staff and supervisors to make one post to the public via the app as well as post it on several social media platforms with the touch of a button. By relaying information to the public via social media, citizens are much more likely to see the alert or post. More often than not, time is of the essence and sheriff’s offices want the public to know of an incident occurring so they are not only aware but can avoid that particular area. For instance, if there is a vehicle accident that is blocking a roadway, law enforcement agencies can make a post or alert through the Community Engagement App to let the public know so they may seek alternative routes. In this example, sharing that information protects both the public and the police officer's response. When citizens avoid a certain area because of an ongoing incident, they remain safe. When law enforcement does not have to worry as much about additional people or cars being in an area where they are attending to a scene, it increases officers' safety on roadways.

The more sheriff’s deputies and the community they serve communicate with each other, the more everyone may be situationally aware. Situational awareness is being aware, alert, and observant about one’s surroundings. Situational awareness is another positive aspect of community policing. Situational awareness has enhanced the exchange of information between the public and law enforcement.

Connecting and Common Goals

As previously mentioned, a Sheriff’s app can easily connect law enforcement with the people in their respective communities. The UCP Sheriff has additional features that allow law enforcement to be more transparent as well as features that make it convenient for citizens to contact police.

The UCP Sheriff app is a great Community Engagement App due to several of its featured categories. Not only can law enforcement create a post quickly, but citizens can report incidents they witness in real time. Through the UCP Sheriff app, if an individual observes a situation deputies should know about, they can provide information directly to their local law enforcement office. Citizens can also upload videos or photos relevant to the incident when reporting to sheriff’s deputies. With UCP Sheriff reporting parties can even remain anonymous. Many times the public may witness an incident that they want to report to police, but they may not want to get too involved or be named. The ability to report an incident yet remain anonymous may increase the likelihood of citizens calling the police or sheriff's departments when they witness an incident.

Another way a Police Community App makes policing more efficient is that the sooner law enforcement is informed about a call, the sooner they can respond. For instance, though emergency dispatch centers remain integral to police operations when a caller contacts dispatch, the dispatcher collects all of the necessary details regarding the incident. This includes where it is, who may be involved, whether there are any injuries or not, and the type of incident. This may be a lot of information and at times, some of the details may be misunderstood or misheard. All of these details are then given to police officers and sheriff's deputies.

With a Community Engagement App, citizens can give direct details using the application. Furthermore, the UCP Sheriff App, in particular, can pinpoint exact GPS coordinates. This is a huge advantage to law enforcement. Often when a reporting party calls there may be confusion as to the exact location of the incident. However, when a Sheriff’s App can provide exact coordinates to a location, law enforcement may arrive on the scene more quickly since they will know exactly where they are going.

Additionally, a Community Engagement App may help the public get to know their local law enforcement. The UCP Sheriff app has a special category called “Know Your Sheriff”. This designated section within the application allows sheriff’s departments to house information for the public regarding sheriff’s deputies. This way citizens will know specific units within their local sheriff’s office; departments can even include a photo of deputies and a description of what their role is within the department. More often than not, sheriff’s offices patrol counties that are widespread. Deputies may not always be able to interact with the public they serve, especially in those areas that are particularly rural. However, by implementing a Sheriff’s App or a Police Community App into daily operations, the public can connect with their local sheriff’s office more effectively.

The Best Sheriff’s App

Choosing the best Sheriff’s App for your department will make a difference in the community and within your department. A Community Engagement App also makes it easier for law enforcement personnel to communicate. When all sheriff’s deputies on duty are aware of situations and communicative with their co-workers, public safety may be increased. The UCP Sheriff app includes features that help keep deputies accountable too. For instance, in the messaging section of the application, supervisors cannot only send memos to deputies on their shift but can also view whether they have read them or not. In the event a sheriff’s deputy may need to know about a critical incident, supervisors can ensure the officers on their shift are aware of what is going on so they may remain alert and vigilant. Trust is built on transparency, communication, and results. A Sheriff’s App is a convenient way to bridge the gap regarding any potential discord between the public and their local sheriff's deputies. The UCP Sheriff app also allows sheriff’s departments to customize the application so that it suits their particular community best, providing the public with as much helpful information as possible. For example, sheriff’s offices can add inmate information, permit information, wellness resources, and most wanted lists. The more information the public is provided through a Community Engagement App the more trust will be built between the community and law enforcement.

Take an in-depth look at the UCP Sheriff app today by looking at StackBench’s website. By adding a Community Engagement App to your department you can enhance public safety and situational awareness for both law enforcement and the community. In addition, trust will be built between the public and sheriff’s deputies. The more transparent sheriff’s departments are with the community they serve and the more aware citizens are regarding incidents in the community the more trust will be built. When there is more trust within a city or county, citizens and law enforcement are more likely to participate in community policing, which makes everyone safer.