Why Offline Access Matters in Law Enforcement Mobile App

Law Enforcement Mobile Apps

The ability to communicate within seconds is advantageous. In the world of policing every second counts, and a mobile app expedites communication. Law enforcement mobile apps allow police officers and sheriff's deputies to contact their co-workers with imperative information instantly. In addition, police apps such as UCP (Uniformed Communication Platform) Police and UCP Sheriff from StackBench are applications compatible with Android and iPhone smartphones. The UCP Police and UCP Sheriff apps make it convenient, safe, and secure for law enforcement to connect with other law enforcement agencies and co-workers and make communicating with citizens easy. More than 80% of society owns a smartphone and with a smartphone comes applications. Law enforcement mobile apps operate like any other application. This is an advantage for police departments and sheriff's offices because their personnel and the citizens they serve will already have an idea of how an app works, so minimal additional training is necessary.

Applications work offline as well since the data within them is stored within the app itself. The ability to use and access the app offline means citizens and police always have the option to use the UCP Police or UCP Sheriff application effectively. This feature is also convenient. An application that works just as well offline as online means there will never be a disruption in service.

What are some advantages when it comes to offline access to law enforcement apps? Some benefits include better speed when using the application. Often when an app is used offline it functions more efficiently because there isn’t a constant connection with a server which may require buffering. Additionally, using an app while offline may be better for securing data. For a law enforcement app in particular, access to data in real time is a huge benefit to using an app offline. Ideally, law enforcement officers would be able to access intel, files, and records without having to directly connect to a server.

A Police App is another tool police officers can use to enforce public safety. With the UCP Police app and the UCP Sheriff app, command staff can create one post, and with the touch of a button can post that one notice on multiple platforms: the UCP app as well as social media accounts. For example, if there is a hazardous situation, law enforcement can alert the public about it on social media using the app.

Additionally, police officers and sheriff's deputies can communicate with each other using the app. With UCP Police and UCP Sheriff, supervisors can send messages to their personnel relaying important messages and intel. This particular app will let the sender know who has read their message. For command staff and supervisors, this is a great feature; it allows them to conveniently ensure their officers have read the information and helps maintain accountability. The more accountable and transparent police departments are the better it is for the community and law enforcement's relationship with the public they serve. Police Apps help community members build trust with their local law enforcement. When trust is established, citizens are far more likely to support their local police and will be more willing to help. For instance, often when an incident occurs law enforcement has partial information and must find out more about the events that took place. Many times citizens may know about an incident, may have witnessed the event, or may have additional information that may help police apprehend a subject. The faster police apprehend a subject, the quicker public safety is upheld. An application that is still able to function offline allows citizens the ability to find resources no matter where they may be located; this is an effective and useful feature whether a citizen needs to report non-critical information to law enforcement or needs to get ahold of police.

The UCP Police and UCP Sheriff apps are both law enforcement mobile apps that allow citizens to choose whether to be anonymous or not when reporting information. Often an individual may want to report an incident they have witnessed or have helpful information that may aid the police, but they do not want to become involved. With applications such as law enforcement mobile apps that allow the reporting party to remain anonymous, more people are apt to report a tip or lead. Additionally, some police apps such as UCP Police and UCP Sheriff, can provide the department with the reporting party's exact GPS coordinates. This is beneficial for many reasons. One reason is that with traditional ways of communicating with law enforcement via telephone, there is a chance the reporting party will hang up on the emergency dispatcher intentionally or unintentionally before the dispatcher can get the exact address. Police apps such as UCP Police and UCP Sheriff provide the location of the caller so police officers or sheriff's deputies may respond much more quickly. This is also helpful because when law enforcement is provided an exact location, they do not have to guess where the incident may have occurred or where the reporting party may be. Knowing the location gives law enforcement the ability to get to the scene much more quickly.

More Police App Benefits

There are numerous benefits to using Police Apps. Utilizing this particular type of technology in a police department or sheriff's office enhances situational awareness and public safety as a whole. Situational awareness is consciously and subconsciously being aware of your surroundings. The more you are aware of your surroundings, the more you can practice safety and potentially avoid a dangerous or harmful situation. Though everyone should practice situational awareness, law enforcement officers must be on the highest alert at all times while on and off duty. An application that works on and offline allows the police officer to have constant contact with their superiors, co-workers, and other agencies.

The fact that the UCP Police and UCP Sheriff apps work both on and offline helps officers maintain safety and keep in touch with those they need to communicate with.

Another benefit of the UCP Police app and UCP Sheriff app is that the messaging system is encrypted. This way sensitive information will not get into the wrong hands. Police officers can safely and confidently stay in communication with their co-workers knowing their messages are secure. The accessibility of an application offline securely is another helpful feature of the UCP apps from StackBench.

Mobile apps for law enforcement work just as well offline as online. For instance, incident reporting is made easier through an application offline. Even if there is no internet connection, police officers and sheriff’s deputies can work on reports and the public can still report situations to the police. In the event of a natural disaster such as severe weather, flooding, or wildfires, often communication goes down and is at times inaccessible for days. Using a police app offline allows police officers and sheriff’s deputies to continue to work effectively without missing a beat.

Choosing the App for Your Department

When it comes to choosing law enforcement mobile apps look no further than UCP Police and UCP Sheriff from StackBench. These applications make it easy for citizens and police to work together, and make it convenient to send secure, encrypted messages.

For example, if an individual witnesses an incident and is able to take a picture or even a video, these apps allow the citizen to upload a photo or a video directly and securely to local law enforcement. This way, police officers and sheriff's deputies will have direct evidence and leads quickly. If a citizen witnessed a hit-and-run accident and was able to take a picture of the vehicle, they could then upload the photo directly to the police department or sheriff's office through the UCP Police app or UCP Sheriff apps. Apps which have offline functionality will send the information to the server as soon as connection is reestablished.

UCP Police and UCP Sheriff also offer additional, helpful resources such as wellness solutions for law enforcement and additional community resources for civilians. Police apps are the ideal solution for both law enforcement and civilians. Not only do law enforcement mobile apps help to bridge the gap between law enforcement and the community they serve, but they also serve as a great resource for exchanging information securely.

An app that works both on and offline allows police officers and sheriff’s deputies the ability to exchange information at their fingertips. Though radios and emergency dispatch centers are vital to law enforcement operations, the process is much longer for a caller than if they directly message the law enforcement agency through a police app. Using an application is also a secure way for law enforcement personnel to connect and communicate with each other and other agencies. A secure platform that encrypts messages makes all the difference for law enforcement.

Take a look at StackBench’s website today and schedule a demonstration to see how the UCP Police or UCP Sheriff apps can help you and the public you serve. With resources and tools for both citizens and law enforcement officers, police apps will build trust in the community, and will enable citizens to quickly report any incidents they may have witnessed. The more quickly officers receive intel, the better they can enforce the law and maintain public safety. The UCP Police and UCP Sheriff apps work on and offline to provide a reliable, secure messaging platform to civilians and law enforcement personnel. Implementing law enforcement mobile apps into your agency’s daily operations will make an effective and positive impact on your department, personnel, and community.

Above all, incorporating a law enforcement app that has the ability to work offline is best. Work never stops for law enforcement and it is crucial to have an application that works both online and offline. In a fast-paced world where every minute is crucial, a smartphone application that can still allow access to data and incident reporting is advantageous to any department. Take a look today at StackBench’s website to find out more about online and offline applications and how they can make a difference in your department.