Anyone in law enforcement understands that many policies and procedures, though a bit outdated, are still relevant. This occurs because these policies are proven in the court of law and to change them would require a long tedious process that would ultimately fall on the backs of taxpayers.
You know that’s not happening.
For example, in a correctional setting, officers are required to log daily activities in a physical logbook using a blue or black pen, which is then considered a legal document.
In a police setting, officers are required to log their K9's activities to ensure they are meeting minimum requirements and progressing as expected. They, too, typically use a pad and pen to log this information.
It’s a tedious but necessary process.
That’s where Matt Griffin, a Navy veteran and longtime police officer, recognized the need to modernize.
In an exclusive interview, Matt told LET how he first came up with the idea. He was speaking to a colleague and K9 officer one afternoon and asked him what he was up to.
Matt recalled, “I'm like, ‘What are you doing?’ and he said, ‘I'm just finishing up my notepad from all the training that I had with my K9, with Blanca.’ I said, ‘So you’re using a pad and paper to log all your training?”
That’s when Matt knew something needed to change. By that point, Matt was already involved with a team to develop an app that would help police officers with a variety of tasks. But he knew a police K9 training app needed to be a primary function.
Matt also discovered K9 officers train with their partners almost daily and compile a massive amount of scribbled notes.
“Every officer that I call, they're like, ‘Dude, I've been waiting for this phone call. I knew somebody would create something like this because it's silly that we're still writing using pen and paper,’” Matt said.
He continued, “So they go out to training with these other K9 officers, and they're doing building searches and they're doing tracks, and they're doing different types of training, but then they get home and they have to write down everything that the dog did and any failures that the dog had and how they corrected those failures. A lot of times, it isn't fresh in their head.”
These notes can become a critical part of the legal process if and when the K9 gets involved in a real-world situation dealing with suspects. Attorneys from all sides want to know if the K9 is properly trained and how it was trained.
“What we saw from all the different case laws is that handwritten notes and the discoverability for it from a case law standpoint, from courts and adjudication is just a nightmare. And so we were able to create the canine activity tracker, and so far, it's been a huge success,” Matt said.
The app, named See It-Send It, has received very positive reviews from its beta testers. A key component to its success has been its durability.
“We're nimble enough that we can move easily. What happens is every agency is different, and the way they run their canine program is different, but we're small enough where we're able to make the app what is needed for individual agencies,” Matt said.
He continued, “They're [the handlers] able to use this application to become more efficient, to have a good training profile, from obedience to doctor's visits to training logs, and then be able also to use it for other aspects of public safety.”
The K9 training app is nearly complete. Matt and his team are putting the finishing touches on the app and are ready to launch nationwide.
We anticipate K9 teams will jump on it and start tracking everything on the app.
The goal is simple, to help the good guys and keep the bad guys where they belong, in jail.
To learn more about the app and its other features visit https://seeitsendit.com/.
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Writer Eddie Molina is a veteran and has over 25 years of combined LEO/military service. He owns and operates the LEO apparel and accessory company www.BuyHeroStuff.com
You know that’s not happening.
For example, in a correctional setting, officers are required to log daily activities in a physical logbook using a blue or black pen, which is then considered a legal document.
In a police setting, officers are required to log their K9's activities to ensure they are meeting minimum requirements and progressing as expected. They, too, typically use a pad and pen to log this information.
It’s a tedious but necessary process.
That’s where Matt Griffin, a Navy veteran and longtime police officer, recognized the need to modernize.
In an exclusive interview, Matt told LET how he first came up with the idea. He was speaking to a colleague and K9 officer one afternoon and asked him what he was up to.
Matt recalled, “I'm like, ‘What are you doing?’ and he said, ‘I'm just finishing up my notepad from all the training that I had with my K9, with Blanca.’ I said, ‘So you’re using a pad and paper to log all your training?”
That’s when Matt knew something needed to change. By that point, Matt was already involved with a team to develop an app that would help police officers with a variety of tasks. But he knew a police K9 training app needed to be a primary function.
Matt also discovered K9 officers train with their partners almost daily and compile a massive amount of scribbled notes.
“Every officer that I call, they're like, ‘Dude, I've been waiting for this phone call. I knew somebody would create something like this because it's silly that we're still writing using pen and paper,’” Matt said.
He continued, “So they go out to training with these other K9 officers, and they're doing building searches and they're doing tracks, and they're doing different types of training, but then they get home and they have to write down everything that the dog did and any failures that the dog had and how they corrected those failures. A lot of times, it isn't fresh in their head.”
These notes can become a critical part of the legal process if and when the K9 gets involved in a real-world situation dealing with suspects. Attorneys from all sides want to know if the K9 is properly trained and how it was trained.
“What we saw from all the different case laws is that handwritten notes and the discoverability for it from a case law standpoint, from courts and adjudication is just a nightmare. And so we were able to create the canine activity tracker, and so far, it's been a huge success,” Matt said.
The app, named See It-Send It, has received very positive reviews from its beta testers. A key component to its success has been its durability.
“We're nimble enough that we can move easily. What happens is every agency is different, and the way they run their canine program is different, but we're small enough where we're able to make the app what is needed for individual agencies,” Matt said.
He continued, “They're [the handlers] able to use this application to become more efficient, to have a good training profile, from obedience to doctor's visits to training logs, and then be able also to use it for other aspects of public safety.”
The K9 training app is nearly complete. Matt and his team are putting the finishing touches on the app and are ready to launch nationwide.
We anticipate K9 teams will jump on it and start tracking everything on the app.
The goal is simple, to help the good guys and keep the bad guys where they belong, in jail.
To learn more about the app and its other features visit https://seeitsendit.com/.
-----------------
Writer Eddie Molina is a veteran and has over 25 years of combined LEO/military service. He owns and operates the LEO apparel and accessory company www.BuyHeroStuff.com
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The opinions reflected in this article are not necessarily the opinions of LET
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