Thin Blue Defend is an innovative, one-of-a-kind Software-as-a Solution (“SaaS”) mobile app that promises to be a gamechanger for law enforcement in their defense related to use of force incidents. The current system used by law enforcement agencies nationwide for reporting use of force incidents is a two-page questionnaire that fails to adequately guide officers in capturing all the critical details needed for investigations and litigation that usually follow these incidents. The numbers of officers are at critically low levels. Many current and prospective law officers are shying away from law enforcement careers due to the increasing threat of litigation that could destroy their careers and lives if they are not properly prepared. Having these details can influence court decisions that mean the difference between continuing as an officer, incarceration, or bankruptcy.
Thin Blue Defend is a mobile app installed on an officer’s personal mobile phone that provides a series of prompts to encourage comprehensive documentation of use of force details.
Features:
- Guidance for immediate comprehensive data capture – App guides officer through categories of in-depth information based on case law. Prompts officer to record details such as officer’s perceptions of incident as it occurred, the officer’s cognitive process of events (what the officer was thinking at each step, why they made certain decisions), locations of key elements, their equipment, weather, lighting, dialogue, activities leading up to incident, and much more.
- Easy to use – The app interface offers easy point and click response options, as well as audio and photo input for easy documentation following a stressful situation.
- Privacy – All data is encrypted, password protected and stored in the cloud in secured servers to deter unauthorized access. Thin Blue Defend enables the officer to authorize instant access to the data by the officer’s attorney, making it subject to attorney-client privilege. The law enforcement agency does NOT have access to the information, as it is private information owned by the officer. The officer can reference information stored in the app to fill out his department’s official incident report form, but at no time should the officer directly forward data from the app to the department or parties other than officer’s attorney
- Instruction – Thin Blue Defend provides in-person instruction on how to use the app, with an emphasis on officers understanding the importance of including small, yet vital, details.
