Working at one-step above unemployment, combined with an agency that is constantly struggling to find monies and equipment, can slow down a fugitive investigation quicker than a donut joke at a FOP Christmas party. The need to acquire information quickly and accurately while in the field can prove to be a "make or break" factor when tracking persons with outstanding warrants.
Although technology has exploded into the law enforcement arena over the years through the advance of products designed to make our lives safer and more efficient, the number of departments that are able to keep the pace of these rapid changes is limited to say the least.
Attempting to locate a suspect while working in areas with limited to no internet access and/or the inability or the inconvenience of having to return to the office can cause valuable time and momentum. With the ability of much of our information to be obtained on the internet, I wanted to share with you a very cost-effective, rapid, and reliable resource that any officer can use while working in the field. I think you will find this a great tool to utilize in any investigation.
Your Cell Phone
With the use of almost "any" cell phone (with a good cell signal of course) and the ability to send and receive text messages, Google™ has introduced an incredible platform to find people, places, get directions, check the weather and over a dozen other features all for free. Now many of you are saying, "I am not going to subscribe to anything or get the internet on my phone". This is NOT the internet nor does it require a subscription.
When working in locations with limited resources or conducting operations that require quick resolution to obtaining current addresses and phone numbers, this easy but powerful cell phone function will without a doubt, come in handy.
How to Get Started
Although it will vary from phone to phone and provider to provider, this will give you a basic idea of what to do:
- Press Menu on your phone and choose the Send Messages or Messages option.
- Select "Write or Create Message"
- Follow the prompts to enter the mobile number of the person you want to contact
- Type 466453 - This spells GOOGLE
At this point, there are several options depending on the nature of your inquiry.
People Search
Let's say we are searching for a person. Where you would normally type in your text message using your keypad you will type the name of the person you are looking for and the zip code. Example: John Doe 76701
Press "Send"
After approximately 30 to 60 seconds, you should have a return text message that looks something like this:
-
Residential Phonebook:
John Doe
00000 Sherwood Estates Ln
Waco, TX 76701
111-111-1111
If you are in an area and are not sure of the exact zip code, you can type the name of the person you are looking for and the city and State. Example: John Doe Waco, Texas. The search should produce the same results.
Note: For obvious reasons, I did not use an actual name in the example given. I encourage you to put in the name of a real person when following along.
Direction Search
Now, let's say you are working on a case that requires you to conduct an interview or go to a location you are not familiar with and you do not have GPS or Onstar™. Your partner used the map that was in the glove compartment for a TV tray on your last surveillance operation . . . no problem. Again, where you would normally type in your text message using your keypad, you will type in the zip code of the location you are starting and the zip code of the location you want to go. Example: 62301 to 65102
Press "Send"
After approximately 30 to 60 seconds, you should have a return text message that looks something like this:
-
(1/5)Directions:
Distance: 131 mi (about 2 hours 39 mins) 15 steps.
1. Head north on Rim Rd toward Woodland Hill Circle (1.5)
2. Turn left at State St/S State
The (1/5) located prior to Directions indicates that there will be five pages (or at times) five additional text messages following this one. Each additional page or received text should count down by notating (2/5), (3/5) etc. before Directions.
Other Scenarios
Let's say that while attempting to apprehend your bad guy, you happen to step on and crush his one and only prized possession in life . . . his Sony Play station 2. As you place the cuffs on him and head back out the door, your bad guy exclaims, "Man dude, I just bought that last week, that thing cost me $400.00". Again, where you would normally type in your text message using your keypad you will type in something that looks like this: price play station 2
Press "Send"
After approximately 30 to 60 seconds, you should have a return text message that looks something like this:
Products:
Sony PlayStation 2 Limited Edition - Silver, $129.99, Best Buy
And approximately 10 seconds later, you will have the satisfaction of telling your bad guy, "Too bad you dropped that much cash on your PS2 . . . they are on sale at Best Buy™ for $129.99 and are even the Limited edition versions".
Some Other Sample Query's:
- directions Little Rock, AR to 62301
- area code 417
- translate arrest in Spanish
- 20 usd in Euro
- define kilo
You Have Been Warned
Although I understand that with most cellular service providers, there is a cost associated with sending and receiving text messages, I highly recommend that you research your particular plan before blasting away at any of the above mentioned text searches. I know that with my particular plan, I have unlimited text messaging for approximately ten bucks a month.
With that, if you currently have or anticipate purchasing a reasonable text plan through your cellular provider, it will offer a powerful and prevailing tool for the need to conduct quick and rapid field investigations.
Darin Logue began his law enforcement career in 1998, but has been involved in fugitive apprehension since the mid-1990s. He is considered a skilled practitioner in the areas of narcotics, interview and interrogation, and fugitive apprehension and tracking. He is a frequent lecturer to criminal justice classes, as well as a guest speaker at many police academies and departments throughout the Midwest. Logue has served as one of Missouri's youngest chiefs and is an active member of the law enforcement community, working with several agencies in Missouri. He conducts training seminars on undercover narcotics and fugitive apprehension and tracking and can be reached at www.nemotraining.com or [email protected].
