Scope a mental health app for officers

This commitment was originally set while the Police & Crime Commissioner (PCC) was the national lead for mental health, and he remains passionate about mental health issues and their impact on crime, policing and community safety.

Essentially, this measure was designed to improve and enhance the information, support and guidance available to police officers and staff ‘on the ground’ through scoping the potential development of a mobile device app.

While a specific app for Dorset Police has not been developed, the dedicated Strategic Mental Health Co-ordinator within the Force has overseen the introduction of a dedicated operational support portal, drawing together a range of material, guidance and links in support of frontline officers and staff.

This information is available and accessible remotely via smartphone and tablet devices and so, achieves the original outcome sought by the commissioner, albeit through a different use of technology.

In addition, the Force is also exploring the potential for adopting the existing ‘Backup Buddy’ mental health support app that was originally developed for Sussex and Surrey Police. The Force and PCC will continue to seek best practice in this area.