The Digital Transformation of Sheriff Departments

Technology’s Progression

The progression of technology is significant and has only increased in use and effectiveness. Before the development of sheriff apps, law enforcement agencies relied solely on landline telephones, handheld radios, or even designated police phone booths. As time progressed, emails became a significant way for sheriff's departments to interact with one another. Though each of these ways was a vast improvement and is still effective today, an app for sheriff deputies takes communication to the next level.

For example, for decades the only way law enforcement could communicate was through handheld radios. Though effective, radio signals can go down and there may be spots in rural communities where a radio may not be able to get a signal at all. This particular problem is especially prevalent for sheriff’s deputies as they are often patrolling their county which is usually more rural than other areas.

Police handheld radios are still used presently of course, but an app for sheriff deputies offers more reliable communication and is a faster way to connect. For instance, instead of relying solely on radio for contact, deputies can now message their co-workers and supervisors through an app. It remains crucial for law enforcement officers to have both options as one may work when another doesn’t and vice versa.

Why should departments incorporate a sheriff’s app for Android or iPhone? By implementing this type of technology into a department’s daily operations, deputies can not only communicate with their co-workers more efficiently but also with their community. Another advantage is that an app for sheriff deputies increases situational awareness which in turn enhances officer safety. This is because by using an application for law enforcement, police and deputies can alert the public of situations that are in progress and areas to avoid. Over the past few years, there have been many law enforcement deaths due to citizens not seeing an officer on the side of a roadway. These tragedies can be reduced when sheriff's departments alert citizens of areas they should avoid while there is a heavy law enforcement presence. The ability to let the public know about an area to avoid may decrease the chances of an officer or deputy getting hurt.

Sheriff app development is an easy way for the citizens they serve to connect with deputies as well. For instance, before the sheriff app development, a civilian would have to call and make an official report or they would have to go in person to their local sheriff’s office to report an incident. With a sheriff app such as UCP Sheriff from StackBench, individuals can send a direct message to their local law enforcement to let them know of a particular situation or to provide possible leads on cases to sheriff’s deputies.

App for Sheriff

An application for any type of law enforcement agency is helpful. UCP Sheriff is an app made specifically for sheriff’s departments. Certain features such as “Know Your Sheriff”, “Inmate Info”, “Most Wanted”, and permit information are all customizable categories that a sheriff’s department using an app can offer their community. UCP Sheriff is formatted so the departments can customize the app to suit the needs of the public.

The “Know Your Sheriff” section provides sheriff’s departments the chance to place a photo and biography of the appointed Sheriff as well as Command Staff. This way the public can get to know the supervisors in their local sheriff’s office. The “Inmate Info” section offers public information on inmates who are in the custody of the sheriff’s office. This particular section is another way public safety is enhanced through the use of an app. The “Most Wanted” section alerts the public of subjects that are a potential risk to the community. Sheriff’s departments can put this type of information out on the app so that the public may be situationally aware of their safety.

In addition, if a citizen sees any of the subjects that are wanted they can let their local sheriff’s department know when and where they saw them. The permit category is a way for sheriff’s departments to post pertinent information regarding firearm permits. The ability to provide resources through the app can alleviate call volume for county departments as well.

As mentioned, the UCP Sheriff application is an effective way to make information accessible to the public regarding a variety of topics. Since every sheriff’s department and every jurisdiction is different, a sheriff’s customizable app is highly desirable. In addition to the needs of the public, an app for sheriffs enables command staff to message their personnel and email them with memos regarding important information. The ability to see who has viewed a memo and when is an added feature to the UCP Sheriff app for command staff. In the event there is a potentially dangerous situation going on that deputies need to know about for safety reasons, command staff can not only send a memo but also see who has received it and read it.

Building the Community

Community trust and connection are important for the infrastructure of a city or town. Sheriff’s department deputies do not often have the opportunity to get to know their community. It is more difficult for deputies to participate in community programs as more often than not, their jurisdiction is expansive or in some regions is not as populated. An app for sheriffs allows the citizens they protect to get to know their sheriff’s deputies. In turn, the more a community knows about their local law enforcement, the more likely they will be to help sheriff’s deputies by using tips or leads.

Community policing is an excellent way to increase public safety. The sheriff app development is a convenient way for sheriff’s deputies and the citizens they serve to exchange information which is the basis of community policing. For instance, if there is a hit-and-run vehicle accident and sheriff’s deputies are still looking for the vehicle that fled, they can put out an alert to the public via their app and a social media post. Then, if any citizens see that particular vehicle, they can let their local sheriff’s office know. When information such as this is exchanged, law enforcement can apprehend a subject quickly. Though law enforcement may be on the lookout for a certain vehicle or person, deputies cannot be watching everyone and every car at once. However, with help from the public through the sheriff’s app for Android or iPhone, deputies can receive tips and leads quickly and several at one time.

The UCP Sheriff app allows citizens to report any tips they may have for law enforcement anonymously. That way, if someone would like to report an incident they have seen, but do not wish to become directly involved, they can quietly let their local sheriff’s office know what they saw. The ability to remain anonymous may increase the probability of citizens reporting leads and incidents they have witnessed to law enforcement.

The more a community engages with their local sheriff’s office, the more public safety within the area will be increased. The development of a sheriff’s app provides command staff and deputies the ability to connect with the public they serve. Before this technology, connecting was much more difficult, especially for deputies in rural communities. Now, however, the Sheriff can post videos and other content regarding any incident the public may need to know about. Making an alert or post takes under a minute and with the push of one button the information is shared across multiple social media platforms.

A smartphone application bridges the communication gap between law enforcement and the public. For instance, before this type of technology existed, citizens would have to call their local dispatch centers with any information they had. This information would then be passed on to the deputy. Sheriff app development has removed a few steps of the traditional way to get ahold of law enforcement which makes communication quick and decreases misinformation.

Where to Find a Sheriff’s App

Technology has changed the way sheriff’s deputies and police officers communicate with each other as well as how they communicate with their co-workers. Sheriff’s app development has enhanced public safety and situational awareness for law enforcement personnel and citizens. Almost everyone is familiar with smartphone applications, which makes a law enforcement app easy to use. Technology can, and has already, increased public safety for all.

The UCP Sheriff app from StackBench is an effective and economical way to connect citizens to their local sheriff’s department. Take a look at the StackBench website to find out more about the UCP Sheriff application and how it can benefit your department.