The Phoenix Police Department, Arizona’s largest police department, said they support technology that promotes transparency. (Photo by Angie Schuster/Cronkite News)
Police body cameras have become more common in the past few years. Now a new app by the Arizona affiliate of the American Civil Liberties Union lets the public film the police and send the report directly to the ACLU.
The Mobile Justice A-Z app intends to serve as a check on abusive behavior by law enforcement.
“The app is necessary in Arizona and really all across the country because what we’re seeing is that there are significant problems in police departments all over the country regarding excessive force and racial profiling,” said Steve Kilar, the communications director for the Arizona ACLU.
The Mobile Justice A-Z app is free and allows you to record video and audio if you are stopped or questioned by law enforcement. You can then fill out a report and send it directly to the ACLU with your video via the app.
“It encourages people to go out into their communities and when they see a potentially abusive police activity to record that activity,” Kilar said.
The Phoenix Police Department, Arizona’s largest police department said they support technology that promotes transparency.
In a statement, the department said:
“If citizens wish to capture police contacts on video and share them with others, we encourage them to do so while keeping in mind privacy issues and safety concerns and ask them to ensure the behavior does not hinder lawful investigations.”
The ACLU emphasizes that it’s the publics right to record any encounter with an officer.
“In the app itself we have information about when you have the right to record police activity,” said Kilar. “However, we do tell people that they should always follow police instructions.”
The app also sends alerts when someone within one kilometer of you uses the app to record a situation. It also provides a list of rights you have if you’re ever stopped by police and what to do if you feel your rights have been violated.
The Mobile Justice A-Z app is free and allows you to record video and audio if you are stopped or questioned by law enforcement. You can then fill out a report and send it directly to the ACLU with your video via the app.