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COPLOGIC” to Streamline Non-Emergency Resources
DIVISION OF POLICE
The Westerville Division of Police (WPD) is partnering with LexisNexis® and their “Coplogic” Desk Officer Reporting System to offer on-demand reports and convenient mobile and web-based reporting tools. The system allows users to report non-emergency issues, like minor crash and incident reports, crime tips, lost or stolen property, vandalism and other common complaints. It does not take the place of emergency calls like injury accidents, burglaries/robberies, suspicious activity, etc. By harnessing the power of the LexisNexis® databases and connecting to mobile devices, incident reports can be easily retrieved while WPD officers have access to new and expanded resources to investigate crimes. Lt. Brian Spoon has been leading the evaluation of the tool for several months.
“As a long-time patrol officer and supervisor, there are many encounters we’re having in a given shift that is just directing the flow of information,” said Lt. Spoon. “This service allows someone who just wants a report, or someone who just needs to submit a fender-bender report, a way to do that from their phone.” The technology solution does not mean WPD officers will discontinue routine responses for non-emergency issues. It simply provides members of the community another way or alternative to get or submit information quickly and efficiently. One example, says Lt. Spoon, is the mobile quick-connect text service, which allows callers to input their 10-digit mobile number and receive a text message with a link to directly file their report on a mobile-friendly form. It could streamline a number of calls, allowing for more time to patrol neighborhoods or send more personnel to emergency calls. “We’re still in the process of finalizing what reports WPD will use in their system, but agencies across the country have used it for people to report non-emergency harassment, custody order notations and identity theft,” said Lt. Spoon. “In these cases, the report gets submitted and reviewed and an officer is assigned the follow-up.” Westerville’s most common crime is theft from vehicles. In cases where cars are only rifled through, or only small change is taken, the online reporting tool may be preferred by the user. However, the information is important so that investigators can establish theft patterns and affected neighborhoods.
“To be clear, this is not an ‘instead of a WPD officer’ tool,” said Lt. Spoon. “Think of it as ‘in addition to a WPD officer tool.’ The use of technology is important to this agency, and we can learn just as much from more incident reporting if an easy, convenient access and process is an incentive for someone to use it.”
Chief Charles Chandler says this is another way WPD uses technology to maximize its resources in serving the Westerville community. “The expectations for service have evolved over time,” said Chief Chandler. “That includes how we use and offer technology to make dealing with minor reports more convenient. There’s a trend of people needing options that work with their technology rather than having a police officer to come to their home to take a minor report.” Users can upload images, PDFs or video (up to 75mb) and can include links in the report to larger files, like doorbell videos or other evidence. The overall process is designed to make reporting easy to manage, monitor, follow-up and even merge reports. The tool will be available at wwww.westerville.org/police.
