The UT Police Department is launching an app for Android and iPhone devices that allows the public to send anonymous tips to the police and lets the police respond back, creating a two-way anonymous “chat.”
The free app, UTPDTips, complements the existing text tip system, Tip411.
“We’re proud to make UTPDTips available to the UT community free of charge,” UTPD Police Chief Troy Lane. “UTPDTips, along with our existing Tip411 program, will help our citizens play an active role in keeping our university safer.”
UTPDTips was developed by CitizenObserver, a Saint Paul, Minnesota, company. CitizenObserver’s technology removes all identifying information from the sender’s message before the police department sees it, making the conversation completely anonymous.
Members of the UT community with iPhones can download the app from the Apple App Store. Those with Android phones can download the app from the Google Play Store.
The UTPD website also provides a link that will allow the app to be downloaded.
The new tip services are not a substitute for calling 911. People who need emergency responders should call 911.
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C O N T A C T :
Mike Richardson (865-974-3114, Mike.Richardson@utk.edu)