In May 2016, the department launched SLMPDMobile, a crime-fighting application which allows citizens to submit tips, report crime and request city services from the City of St. Louis Citizens’ Service Bureau. The app was developed by MobilePD, Inc. and SLMPD is the first law enforcement agency in Missouri to release a public engagement app.

The department partnered with MobilePD to develop this application in an effort to increase transparency and openness with the community, with the ultimate goal of increasing crime tips from citizens. SLMPD is the second major city in the United States to launch MobilePD’s new real-time citizen reporting platform, which allows citizens to submit tips to the Real Time Crime Center. Tipsters, who have the option to be anonymous, can include their GPS location, text a photo and have a secure two-way chat with officers. Additional features include emergency push notification alerts, the ability to submit requests for various city services to the Citizens’ Service Bureau and access to St. Louis CrimeStoppers and SLMPD social media pages.

“The department has always embraced new technology in order to better serve the citizens of St. Louis,” said Police Commissioner Sam Dotson. “The SLMPD mobile app allows citizens the opportunity to have their police department at their fingertips.”

MobilePD, Inc., an Austin, Texas-based company, was founded in 2010 with the mission of using technology to increase transparency between law enforcement and their communities. In 2011, MobilePD partnered with the Santa Cruz Police Department to release the first ever branded community engagement application in North America.

The SLMPD mobile app is free to download on the iOS AppStore and Google Play Marketplace.