Police department launching new phone app to inform community

RIDGELAND — The police department hopes to release an app this month that will keep the community informed.

Though Chief Brian Myers said doubts they will be the first department in the state to release an app, they will be the first department with the Police App, a product developed by OCV LLC.

“The goal is to have a mobile app available that will allow the community to reach out to us and we can reach out to them,” Myers said.

The app is currently under development but Myers said he hopes to have it available for Android and iPhone this month. 

“They are building the app now,” Myers said. “It will go live as soon as possible.”

Among other functions, the app will have a way for users to submit tips to the police department as well as direct them to CrimeStoppers. 

Myers said the app will showcase the Ridgeland Police Department’s most wanted individuals as well as allow people to submit job applications.

It will also have the ability to send out notifications directly to app users.

“It will send notifications for things like a blocked road or if there is an ongoing manhunt,” Myers said.

Myers received unanimous approval from the city board to develop the app at the Sept. 19, regularly scheduled meeting. he said it would cost the department about $17,000 to implement this year and an additional $5,000 to keep it live.

Myers said he first heard of the app at a Chief of Police conference in June of 2022 where he saw a presentation from OCV. He said he started researching the prospect of an app for the department shortly after that.