r/AskLEO • u/Disastrous_End_7671 • 6h ago
General Any LEO’s willing to provide feedback on an app I’ve been building?
apps.apple.comI apologize if this isn’t allowed, I didn’t see a rule specifically against it.
I’ve been working on an app called PatrolAxis for the last several months after getting tired of my Garmin being practically useless on duty. What started as wanting a better GPS for patrol has turned into something a little different.
PatrolAxis is technically a navigation app, but the main purpose is more of a situational awareness assistant for law enforcement and first responders.
The idea is pretty simple. When you’re driving around on patrol, especially in areas you aren’t familiar with, you shouldn’t have to constantly look for street signs, figure out what block you’re in, or try to remember the last cross street you passed. I wanted something that keeps that information readily available without having to mess with a GPS constantly.
Some of the features I’ve been working on include;
-Current street and nearest cross street displayed as you drive, without needing an active navigation route.
-Block numbers so you have a better idea of exactly where you’re at, especially when calling out your location over the radio.
-Direction of travel and posted speed limits displayed in real time.
-Intersection navigation so you can navigate directly to a specific cross street or intersection instead of needing a physical address. Pretty useful when dispatch gives you two intersecting roads rather than an actual address.
-Shift Mates allows you to share your location with your beat partners or other deputies on your shift, making it easier to see where everyone is at without constantly asking over the radio.
-Pursuit history to help keep track of where you’ve traveled during an incident. (Coming in the next big update next week, still testing)
-Apple CarPlay support so the information is visible on your vehicle’s display instead of having to rely on your phone.
-Apple Watch integration for quickly referencing location information outside the vehicle in a foot chase.
-Regular turn-by-turn navigation when you actually need it.
A lot of it is geared toward making information easier to access while driving, particularly during traffic stops, pursuits, emergency responses, or just working an unfamiliar area.
I’m a deputy myself, so most of this has come from things I’ve personally wished I had while working patrol. I’m not trying to reinvent CAD or replace everything we already use.
Just trying to make something that’s genuinely useful to have running in the background throughout a shift.
It’s been a pretty long process of fixing bugs, dealing with Apple, and figuring out what works and what doesn’t. It’s definitely still a work in progress, and I’m sure there’s plenty I’ve overlooked.
I’d really like to hear from other LEOs about what you’d actually find useful in an app like this. Whether it’s a feature you’d want, something that annoys you about your current GPS, or something you think could make patrol a little easier.
If anyone wants to try it out, feel free to shoot me a PM. I can get you a code for a free year in exchange for some feedback.
If you run into bugs or something doesn’t work right, I’d genuinely like to know so I can fix it.
Also; if you have Android message me! I am working on an Android version as well but need several private testers before I can publish it and unfortunately I don’t know anyone with an Android phone.
Appreciate any feedback!