Question

Discuss how the use of text messaging is a valuable tool for law enforcement, whether it is used between officers or between officers and the public. In your response, provide specific examples of how text messaging can be a valuable tool for law enforcement officers.

Answer 1

Text messaging is a discreet and safer tool that can be employed in law enforcement. Many law enforcement agencies in many countries have developed text-a-tip programs that allow people to send anonymous text messages. Anyone who witnesses a crime or can provide important information or suggestion can use text messaging service to contact police or law enforcing agencies. Tips from citizens can therefore play crucial role in identifying as well as in solving many crimes or cases. Text messaging allows communication between officers as well as between officers and the public. Law enforcing agents cannot exist everywhere; text messaging allows them to easily communicate safety information to hundreds of local people.Text messaging also provides confidential means of communication between officers, which they can employ to stay updated and alert.

The application and usefulness of messaging systems like twillio, tipsoft SMS technology, tip411 depicts how text messaging can be used as a valuable tool by law enforcement officers. Twillio has built a “community Alerts” platform which lets law enforcement officers to send or receive voice or text messages in United States. Tipsoft SMS technology has emerged as a new crime-fighting tool that allows communication between police and public. People can easily text tips and suggestions to Madison Area Crime Stoppers in US using tipsoft SMS. Similarly, tip411 application allows people to send free anonymous texts to police in Rockland and Westchester. This application also allows for receiving police alerts and social media alerts. The confidentiality assured by Tip411 app has played an important role in increasing witness cooperation which plays important role in investigation process.
This throws light on how text messaging is utilized for enforcement of law.