City of Bridgeton Mayor Albert Kelly and Chief of Police Michael Gaimari Sr. announced today that the Bridgeton’s Police Department has completed their part in a cutting-edge community policing pilot program, and are the very first police department in the nation to utilize the all new Online Policing Solutions National Law Enforcement and Community Policing Network.
Nearly three years ago,
the Bridgeton Police Department and city leaders were presented with an
opportunity to become a pilot agency for a brand-new concept in community
policing. This concept was to launch an actual community policing network that
would create a secure gateway and partnership between law enforcement agencies
and the communities they serve, while streamlining police operations,
drastically expand agency resources, and connect law enforcement agencies,
officers and communities 24/7. When approached, Mayor Kelly and Chief Gaimari
were impressed with the concept.
“We knew right away that
we could be looking at the future of community policing and an enhanced law
enforcement partnership with the community,” Mayor Kelly said.
“The concept was
impressive, and something we wanted to be part of from the start.” Chief
Gaimari said. “It was obvious to us that this could be a real game-changer. We
strive to stay connected to our community and with technology as it is today,
this is a perfect solution.”
With the OPS Network,
officers and community members have access to tools and technology to
seamlessly work together, shaping the future of twenty-first century policing
and community engagement. The network was a seven-year development project that
finally began its pilot program in Bridgeton in mid-2020.
“The results have been nothing
short of amazing.” said Gaimari. “This is not just a website or gimmick. This
is an actual network that creates a true and transparent partnership with each
community member in addition to all the participating agencies. This is exactly
what was needed.”
By utilizing the web-based
network, community members can now interact and partner with law enforcement
like never before. From the Bridgeton Police Department’s OPS Community
Interface (think website on rocket fuel), community members can:
· Submit 100%
Anonymous TIPS
· Subscribe
to receive Alerts, News and Press Releases
· View/download
Wanted and Missing person flyers and bulletins
· Ask
questions and get answers from actual officers
· File
internal affairs concerns
· Commend
officers
· Download
important documents
· Read agency
policies and procedures
· Learn about
career opportunities
· Register
Special Needs family members
· Learn about
the department
· Keep up to
date with daily police activity
· Share
surveillance camera information
· Access a
myriad of valuable resources and community tools
· Much more
This transparent law
enforcement partnership tool requires no logins or APP downloads, is completely
web based and works from any modern computer or smartphone. Community members
from ages 18 to 80 can participate.
In addition to the
community interface, the OPS Network contains numerous tools that allow
officers to connect with other OPS Network partner law enforcement agencies,
and leverage the power of the network to offer much better services to the
community, while supporting each other.
“Connecting with other
agencies sharing information on cases that span over a vast geographical area has
already reaped rewards and resulted in the apprehension of a number of violent
offenders,” Gaimari noted.
“The City of Bridgeton is extremely honored to take
the lead on this project and be the first in the nation to break new ground. We
are leveraging usable technology to advance the community-police partnership
mission, while at the same time assisting our brave law enforcement officers by
providing them much needed tools to navigate modern policing,” Mayor Kelly
added.
Chief Gaimari noted
that, “as we see our jurisdictional borders fade, and our citizens become more
reliant on technology, we now have the resources to connect and work with
community in a way that was not possible in the past, while connecting with our
partners in law enforcement like never before.”
Mayor Kelly and Chief Gaimari say they are both
excited to see this new network spread across our state and nation, so that all
communities and law enforcement agencies can work together. Both agreed that “it
is about time we thought outside the box! The OPS Network has changed the game and
we are proud to have played a part in making that happen”.
The
new Bridgeton Police Department OPS Community Interface can be visited at www.bpdops.com.
You can submit direct TIPS to bpd.tips, which are 100% anonymous and secure.