Police Coffee Cost Calculator

What Is Your Coffee Addiction Costing You?cops coffee

So lets face it a lot of police officers drink coffee (we could also add the obligatory doughnut joke but the calculator doesn’t include that) Many drink a few per shift and some even hang out half the shift in the Dunkin Donuts parking lot.

I am a big fan of coffee, I usually like the small independent cafes with good coffee and I often grab something other than a regular coffee (read expensive lattes).  I started going to Starbucks about 15 years ago, I remember a few people in the station joking around because I was drinking the fancy schmancy coffee. Now I drive by Starbucks and see quite a few officers inside….

Anyway that’s all besides the point, below we have a calculator from USA Today that tells you how much your habit is costing you. The price listed seems pretty fair for most people. Even though it is “Starbucks” prices in the calculation quite a few other places are not that far off that price for a medium coffee.

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By Peter Olson

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Live Oak Police Connecting With Citizens

Live Oak Police Connecting With Citizens

The City of Live Oak Texas Police have been partnering with us and providing the My Police Department app to their community. One great thing I have noticed about Live Oak is that they are really engaged with their community and good at promoting resources like their MyPD app to the public.

live_oakHere a local news channel covers their app and its use by the public. “We as a department felt we have to be more connected with the citizens” Sgt. Kent Iglesias

The department has a great relationship with the community and really understands how to promote their resources and connect with citizens.  They have even won awards voted on by the public.

“In April 2010, the department received the Best of the Metrocom distinction from the readers of the Northeast Herald. This is a tribute to the department as no other law enforcement agency has received this award before. The award was made possible by the hard work and dedication of all police employees.”  From City of Live Oak Website 

The employees and Officers in Live Oak Texas are doing some wonderful things and really seemLive Oak Texas Police to care about their community.

By Peter Olson

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Supreme Court Will Rule If Police Can Search Cell Phone After Arrest

The Supreme Court announced today that they will review two appeals of criminal cases involving persons convicted of crimes based on evidence found on their cell phone after they had been arrested.

As of now each state has different (or no) rules about the cell phone search of arrested individual. For example I live in Massachusetts where police officers or detectives must obtain a search warrant to view the contents of an individuals phone. If you want to view the map of where you live or other states, you can check out this map from Forbes

Cell Phone Supreme CourtIn Florida this year the Florida State Supreme court ruled that police needed search warrants to explore the content of the phones.  Appeals courts in Florida had ruled that warrants were not needed based on other US Supreme Court rulings, saying “The (U.S.) Supreme Court has clearly and repeatedly found that anything found on an arrestee or within an arrestees immediate control may be searched and inspected upon arrest,” the appeals court said. There’s no reason to except cell phones, the 1st DCA said.

But Justice Lewis, writing for Florida’s Supreme Court’s majority, said a cigarette pack containing drugs that was the focus of the Robinson case was very different from a modern smart phone.

“That case clearly did not involve the search of a modern electronic device and the extensive information and data held in a cell phone,” Lewis wrote. “When Robinson was decided, hand-held portable electronic devices in the form of cell phones containing information and data were not in common and broad use.  Further, in recent years, the capabilities of these small electronic devices have expanded to the extent that most types are now interactive, computer-like devices,” Lewis continued. “Vast amounts of private, personal information can be stored and accessed in or through these small electronic devices

As GigaOm writer Jeff John Roberts pointed out “The cases also reflect how quickly phone technology is evolving, and its implications for privacy. In one case, the evidence at issue is a call log that a cop obtained from a simple flip phone. The other case involves photos and videos taken from a smartphone that were used to establish that the phone owner was a gang member; the cop in the case also found evidence that every entry in the contact list that started with “the letter K were proceeded by the letter “C,” which gang members use to signify “Crip Killer.”

I am sure many police chiefs and officers prefer to have the Supreme Court make this ruling and avoid future confusion.  Since many states have yet to rule on cell phones warrants, and as technology continues to become more entwined with our personal lives, it seems as though this and other technology cases will continue to make their way to the country’s top court for clarification.

The cases are due before the court in April.

By Peter Olson

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Google Glass Police Program

Partner agencies can now borrow a pair of Google Glass 2nd (generation) from WiredBlue

In keeping with our mission of furthering police and technology research and development we are proud to offer our customers with the chance to test and use Google Glass at no expense.

Google Glass Police Law EnforcementThere is much hype around glass, and even an article or two already about police using glass. The truth is though that most people have still never seen a pair and there are maybe only a few pairs that police have actually been able to get their hands on. We think it is important for police to get their hands on Google Glass for a few reasons.

  1. To test if wearable technology like Glass, is a good future option to wear while on duty or for training purposes.
  2. Can Glass be worn on duty, safety issues.  Think not only driving but also training with firearms.  You would most likely need to qualify with your weapon while wearing Glass.
  3. Form opinions on the safety of the public wearing Google Glass while driving, etc.
  4. Develop ideas for possible apps for Google Glass in law enforcement.

As previously stated, our second generation Google Glass is available now for our partner agencies and customers to borrow for a period of time to test.  One agency already is testing them out.  Due to high demand that we are expecting the loan time will be between 7 – 14 days.  Which is plenty of time to test them out.

Interested customers should use the new WiredBlue customer support portal to send us your request.  You will need to provide a few details and also agree to give us some feedback on your experience with Google glass.  (if you need portal access email us)

We think wearable technology like Google Glass has some sort of future for the public and for police and law enforcement.  Like many things though we believe it warrants some examination and a balanced view of the positives and negatives of these sorts of technology.

By Peter Olson

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How Are Citizens and Agencies Using The MyPD Police App

Here are just a few examples of how citizens and agencies are using the My Police Department (MyPD) app

Marblehead MA
11:11 a.m. Department received a complaint about a vehicle parked on the sidewalk on Commercial Street daily via the MyPD smartphone app. Vehicle was ticketed.
Read more: http://www.wickedlocal.com/marblehead/news/x1655336483/Marblehead-police-log-excerpts-Thursday-Sept-12-2013#ixzz2etU57Ozm

Dixon CA Dixon police’s mobile app proves valuable http://www.thereporter.com/news/ci_23827654/dixon-polices-mobile-app-proves-valuable Saginaw MI Smartphone app has led to arrests in two Saginaw homicide cases http://blog.mlive.com/saginawnews_impact/print.html?entry=/2013/06/smartphone_app_has_led_to_arre.html

Post by Saco Police Department.
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Facebook now allows you to embed posts

Facebook now allows you to embed posts

Facebook now allows you to embed posts in your blog or website. It was rolled out a month ago for some larger companies and is now available for everyone.

Anyone using a third party website (or their own) can now embed a public Facebook post directly into the site.

You can find the line of code needed to embed a post by clicking on the dropdown arrow in a post’s upper right-hand corner.

Here is how it looks….

Post by West Lafayette Police Department.

Some agencies might find this useful if they use a blog or post news. I am a believer that government and law enforcement agencies should be concentrating more on their websites and driving people back to them. Many seem to be doing the opposite and concentrating soley on social media (which they don’t own, control, and will eventually become less popular) Private sector companies almost always drive traffic back to their websites, which is a smarter idea.

Using embedded posts from facebook or embedding tweets from twitter allows you to reference social media while keeping your reader at your website or blog.

Peter Olson

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Ocala FL Police Use App

Ocala Police Department Uses Mobile App

By
Staff writer
Published: Wednesday, July 17, 2013 at 11:34 a.m.
Last Modified: Wednesday, July 17, 2013 at 11:34 a.m.

They’re on Facebook and Twitter, and now you can reach them by mobile app as well.

The Ocala Police Department launched a mobile application today that they say will allow faster, more personal contact with citizens.

The app is MyPD, and is free to download and use.

Department spokeswoman Angy Scroble said the agency is the second in the state to launch the MyPD app. The Boynton Beach Police Department was the first, she said.

“We feel this app is another great step towards closer communication with the citizens and gives us the ability to not only notify them quickly of important information, but also make it easier to communicate with us,” Scroble said. “In essence, it enhances the open lines of communication between the department and the public that it serves.”

As more local, state and federal law enforcement agencies, government entities and citizens continue to interact through social media, the app is one more way OPD is keeping pace with technology.

MyPD can be downloaded by searching for My Police Department or MyPD in the iPhone or Android marketplace. Once it is downloaded, a person can navigate to Ocala Police.

The app is free of advertisements.

Those using the app to provide a crime tip can choose to remain anonymous.

App users will be able to contact Police Chief Greg Graham or members of his staff directly. Also, Scroble said, with the app, citizens can be aware of incidents more rapidly through push notifications and will be able to access links to other resources.

Read More http://www.ocala.com/article/20130717/ARTICLES/130719736?tc=ar

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Smartphone app has led to arrests in two homicide cases

Smartphone app has led to arrests in two homicide cases

We recently checked up on some news around the country about the MyPD app and came across this news story from Saginaw, Michigan.

It is amazing to see how different communities use their My Police Department (MyPD) app.  We have heard of commendations coming in to agencies in the Boston area after the Boston bombings and now we have seen how citizens will utilize apps to send important information in to the police.

Here is a portion of the story from MLive.com

SAGINAW, MI — Since the Saginaw Police Department began urging citizens to send tips through a smartphone app about a month ago, the

App led to homicide crime arrests

“The Saginaw Police Department has released an app for multiple cell phone providers, through My Police Department, that connects citizens to information from the department.”

department has received tips including two that led to arrests in recent Saginaw homicides.

 

“It’s helpful,” Detective Sgt. Reggie Williams said about the tips received through the app and by other means.

“Some of the information that comes in is very detailed, other tips are kind of vague,” he said. “The detailed information is the stuff we can move on. The more information they give, the better.”

Sometimes, he said, tips come in a day or so after detectives have learned the information, and “it kind of validates or confirms what the detectives already found out, which is good,” Williams said.

The tips can help detectives determine “how and where” something happened and have been helpful in other investigations, too, he said.

“We get a lot of tips on drug houses and blighted homes,” Williams said, noting people can choose to give a name and contact information or may remain anonymous.

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WiredBlue Organizes First Annual Police Innovation Conference

First Annual Police Innovation Conference To Be Held In Cambridge September 16 & 17 2013

In our effort to assist law enforcement with discovering the latest innovations and technology, WiredBlue is producing the first annual Police Innovation Conference.

police innovation conference venueWe have partnered with the Cambridge Police Department to produce this great new police conference.  The conference agenda is fast-paced and aimed at keeping attendees interested and stimulated.  This police conference is being hosted at Microsoft’s New England HQ in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

From our conference website..

“Conference Goals

Innovations in law enforcement technology are disrupting the policing landscape. Don’t get left behind! The Police Innovation Conference convenes speakers from the public and private sectors and an audience of progressive thinkers and leaders from police and law enforcement agencies across the US and Canada.

Discover the latest trends in technology, learn best practices and help predict, discuss and invent the future. PIC2013 is a unique event, a two-day police conference, but a new experience.

We look at how agencies are moving to the cloud, leveraging social media, addressing mobility, and handling other technology related advancements and challenges. Discussing ideas, exploring concepts, and examining products are all keys to making sense of this sometimes overwhelming technology landscape. Master the technology advancements and you and your agency will emerge as future leaders of law enforcement!”

Register Today for the Police Innovation Conference

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Auburn Police App MyPD

Auburn Police Launch Police App. My Police Department (MyPD) app

logo

AUBURN, Maine (NEWS CENTER) — If you’d like your police department to be one tap of the touchscreen away, in Auburn, there’s an app for that.

The Auburn Police Department is the latest Maine agency to join the My Police Department application for Android and iPhone users.

The app can be found by searching “My PD” or “My Police Department” in the app store . Once downloaded, search “Auburn Police Department.”

The application creates a two-way flow of information. Users can submit police tips, commend officers, contact personnel, and post questions. Police can send push alerts, post information on parking bans, post tweets, and circulate other information through the application.

“Our goal is to try and stay current with social media,” said Auburn Police Deputy Chief Jason Moen.

“Social media has really redefined the way we do community policing,” he said. “It’s all about trying to improve our communication with the community.”

The My Police Department App also navigates to the South Portland Police Department and the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency.

http://www.wcsh6.com/news/article/223211/314/Auburn-Police-launch-smartphone-app

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