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10th April 2024 Issue no. 700

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Police Officer drops his kit for digital

Paul Cooper has left his career in policing behind. He talks about leaving the police and his delight at being shortlisted for three prestigious, national digital awards ceremonies for his mobile app, Pocket Sergeant.

Paul was a Police Officer with Cleveland Police when he designed Pocket Sergeant to assist police officers and carry out their daily duties. The app has been downloaded over 20,000 times. Some of those who have downloaded it include solicitors, barristers, cadets, students and those with an interest in criminal law. In 2014, Paul transferred to Lincolnshire Police.

2015 was a huge year for Pocket Sergeant as it secured the Silver award in the "Mobile App" category at the Cambridgeshire Digital Awards. The app was shortlisted for other awards too both on a local and national scale. 2016 has been no different. Paul's app was shortlisted in the Best Innovative App category at the Appster Awards in October. Pocket Sergeant has also been shortlisted for the second year running at the Cambridgeshire Digital Awards in the Mobile App category. He has also been nominated as a finalist in the Digital Innovation in the Public Sector and Digital Startup of the Year at the Digital Entrepreneur Awards. The awards ceremonies take place in November.

Paul stated, "I am thrilled yet again for Pocket Sergeant to be competing with some of the biggest and best in digital. At the recent Appster Awards finals, also competing were multi-million pound companies such as BT and Easyjet. It is surreal to think a tool designed to help others has spiraled into something much bigger than I anticipated. I have found myself leaving my full-time role as a Police Officer with Lincolnshire Police and committing more of my time towards Pocket Sergeant. On a daily basis, I helped a handful of people in my role as a Police Officer. Now I can help in excess of 20,000. There is no better feeling."

Paul, now lives in Market Deeping, Peterborough is working with Middlesbrough-based app developers, Sockmonkey Studios to further increase the app's functionality and add exciting new features. The award-winning app has captured the attention of national charities who are eager to work with him in reaching out to more people - particularly victims of crime. There will soon be a possibility for Pocket Sergeant users to increase awareness of charities and increase their client base. Paul is also seeking to create additional versions of the app which will benefit Police Officers in Scotland and Police Service of Northern Ireland.

"Over the last 12 months I have implemented key changes to the app and how it works. Instant updates can now be pushed out to those who have the app. I am able to send out any updates from my own laptop or mobile phone - it's brilliant. The app and editor would prove a great tool for police forces, law firms and even universities. I can offer corporate versions of Pocket Sergeant whereby all of the content can be edited and customised where necessary."

Priced as £3.99, Pocket Sergeant is currently available on the Apple and Google Play Stores. Find out more information about the app by visiting the website directly at www.pocketsergeant.co.uk.

Any not for profit organisations or charities who wish to work with Pocket Sergeant should send an email to: [email protected]

2nd November 2016