Police Use New Online Reporting Technology

[Howard Hartman]

	DEPARTMENT OF POLICE MEDIA SERVICES DIVISION 2350 RESEARCH BOULEVARD ROCKVILLE, MARYLAND 20850-3294
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 22, 2009	FOR MORE INFORMATION:                         Media Services Division, 240-773-5030

Police Use New Online Reporting Technology

The Montgomery County Police Department is continuing to take advantage of newly developed technology in an effort to help streamline the public’s ability to receive information and assist in furthering crime-fighting efforts. On Monday, September 21, the department implemented a new system called CopLogic which is an online citizen reporting service that will make filing certain police reports easier and faster. The new program can only be used to report these types of specific incidents that occurred in Montgomery County: thefts under $10,000, vandalism, identity theft, and lost property. It can also be used to provide tips to solve crimes.

A report can be filed online if the following criteria are met:

• The incident is not an emergency.
• The incident occurred within Montgomery County, Maryland.
• There are no known suspects.
• The incident did not occur on a state highway.
• The value of the property taken is less than $10,000.
• There must be a valid e-mail address listed on the complaint.

All calls that are received by the Montgomery County Police Emergency Communications 9-1-1 Center (ECC) are prioritized so that emergencies are responded to in a quick and efficient manner. During periods of peak demand for police, the response to non-emergency calls may be delayed. After filing a police report online, a copy of a police report will automatically be sent to an e-mail address that was provided by the community member.

Emergencies should always be reported by calling the ECC 9-1-1 Center. Community members are still encouraged to dial the police non-emergency number at 301-279-8000 if there is non-emergency criminal activity occurring that requires an officer to respond.

The CopLogic Program is user-friendly, requiring only the completion of a series of questions about the incident that will be utilized by the police department. The completed electronic report will be reviewed by police personnel and a confirmation will be sent. If different or additional information is required, the sender will be contacted. Otherwise, after it’s confirmed that the report meets the criteria and has been approved, a copy of the report will be forwarded to the e-mail address listed by the community member. The report will be assigned a case number and entered into the police department’s Records Management System. The report will be reviewed by the appropriate investigators and also added to a statistical database. Filing a report online is free.

The police department continues to search for innovative ways to provide the citizens of Montgomery County with high quality, cost effective police services.

CopLogic Citizen's Online Reporting

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