App Review: U.S. Cop

Mark Brooks, a software developer and working police officer, developed U.S. Cop, which is one of the best apps on the Android platform for officers. This app (reviewed on Android) is chock full of information for the working cop, and it's organized in a logical manner.

When you launch the app, you'll see tabs labeled Index, Case Law, Training, and Messages. Under Index, you'll find links for updates to his program, News and Alerts, Traffic, DUI, Drugs, Spanish, and Miranda Warning.

As one example, the Traffic section has subsections for information concerning states that require front license plates, accident investigation helps, traffic-stop case law, a tire's size-speed difference, window tint laws, CMV (Commercial Moving Vehicle) out-of-service orders, CMV company snapshots, and LIDAR instructions.

There are subsections within the accident investigation section that provide interview reminders, as well as equations for speed, braking, and friction. The DUI section provodies information and instructions on Standardized Field Sobriety Tests (SFST).

Planned updates for this program include a report template, work calendar, photo evidence, state ID card security features, field interview cards, and Spanish voice translation. This app will be the patrolman's best friend once the developer completes his updates.

Tim Meacham is a police officer for a private university in central Virginia. He has a bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice from Liberty University and plans to complete his master's in Criminal Justice from the University of Cincinnati this summer.