Citizens can download the MyPD app for Android and iPhone phones and tablets

MARSHFIELD — On March 3 the Marshfield Police Department announced the launch of their new mobile application, My Police Department, or MyPD for short. The free MyPD app allows citizens to easily connect with the police department right from their device. The app has around 40 potential features, and the department can turn them on and off depending on what they want to display at certain times. The MyPD app is easy to use and features a sleek user interface.

“Members of the public can get important updates from us as push notifications,” said Chief Rick Gramza. “We can send the notifications through Twitter or our dashboard, and the user doesn’t need an account or to worry about missing an important tweet or message. We encourage users to opt in to messages if they want to be informed quickly of new updates or alerts.”

Crime and safety issues are important for citizens to know. The app includes resources and links on a number of topics such as victim resources, domestic violence, press releases, missing children, and many more. There are four background screens to swipe through and can be updated with pictures of wanted persons, missing people, or announcements.

Sending in tips about crimes or other quality of life issues is another way citizens can use the MyPD app. It allows the user to either attach his or her contact information or send it anonymously. Photos and GPS locations of incidents can also be attached from either the phone’s gallery or live camera. While the app links to or integrates with some social media, police insist it is not another social network. There are no ads on MyPD, and no account is necessary to use the app.

“We have been using social media like Facebook and Twitter for a while,” said Gramza. “The MyPD app is not meant to replace those or be another social network. It is a tool for citizens to keep on their phones so when they need a phone number, to send a crime tip, or want to research something, they have it readily available in an easy to use app.”

The app also lets users share some basic anonymous data about their age, gender, or how they found out about the app. This is optional. If shared, the department can better understand who is using the app, how users found it, and if they live or work in the city.

MyPD is free for residents, contains no advertising, and users do not need to share personal information or set up an account to use the app. Any information sharing is optional. Citizens looking to connect with the Marshfield Police Department should search for “MyPD” in their app store. Once the app is downloaded and the agency chosen, it will always open to the Marshfield Police Department and its resources.