Online Policing Solutions
By Albert B. Kelly
Policing these days is extraordinarily difficult for any number of reasons. Some of that has to do with the weight of history while some of it is connected to the pace and evolution of crime. As we go forward, technology will play an increasing role in how policing is done at the local level and how police engage with the public they serve. This is a large part of why I am proud and excited that Bridgeton was part of the leading edge in implementing the new Online Policing Solutions (OPS) National Law Enforcement and Community Policing Network.
This initiative is web-based and works from any smartphone or computer by visiting www.bpdops.com. Once there, members of the public can engage with police in any number of important ways. For example, when a crime occurs the police will do their best to investigate and solve it, but the reality is that solving a given crime often comes down to whether or not people “in the know” are willing to share what they know.
Often, people will not share information because they don’t want to be targeted or harassed. This is understandable which is why the new OPS network let’s people submit tips that 100% anonymous. In using this platform to submit a tip, no one can identify you nor do you have to share any personal information about yourself so you cannot be contacted or have your identity revealed in any way.
That said, if you want to converse or engage in a two-way exchange with the department, you will be given a random ID and you would create a four number pin so you can continue your interaction at a later time if you choose to do so and you would need this random code and your pin number to see any officer responses and to be able to respond back. But this is not required.
I encourage people to consider using this tool because the more success we have at getting violent and callous people off our streets, the better our quality of life becomes. Along those same lines, a huge benefit of this platform is that community members can either share cameras or just surveillance footage, either of which provides invaluable help in solving crimes.
Keep in mind that the OPS network does not require you to log-in nor is it necessary to download an app to your smartphone or device. As a point of contact, OPS would allow people to report certain crimes, file internal affairs concerns with the department while conversely; people might also commend an officer for a job done well.
Another important feature of OPS is the ability to register special needs family members with the department. The information is only shared with first responders. This may not sound like a big deal, but an information gap, especially in an emergent situation, can have huge consequences when engaging with first responders. This might involve a missing person, medical emergency, natural disaster, a fire, mandatory evacuation or even a shelter-in-pace order because of a crime in progress.
Knowing information about someone with special needs can be vital when dispatch sends someone to a location. There’s a big difference between someone who is perceived to be noncompliant or resistant as opposed to someone who is hearing-impaired, to use one example. The same could be said of anyone with a substantial physical or intellectual disability. Of course, not everything involves an emergent situation, but information about special needs members of the community helps those being dispatched be that much more accurate and responsive to the public they serve.
On practical day-to-day basis, the OPS network allows people to download various documents and request crash reports, subscribe to receive alerts and bulletins, stay current on career opportunities and in a community with some 60% of its housing stock being rental units, find a variety of landlord and tenant resources. The department has "Safe Trade Spots" which are designated locations at law enforcement offices where buyers and sellers can meet in public with lighting and security cameras to complete in-person transactions so everyone feels safe.
Bridgeton is an early adopter and the above is just a small but important sampling of the information and resources that can be found on the Online Policing Solutions network which was described as a “website on rocket fuel”. I encourage everyone to visit http://www.bpdops.com/ and see how we’re expanding in the digital age.