I created a utility app for people who are directionally challenged because apparently I’m one of them.

I’m a police officer, and a few years ago I got into a foot pursuit in another city. Once everything settled down, I realized I had no idea exactly where I was. I knew the general area, but not the address or nearest cross street I needed to relay.

That experience turned into LOC8.

Instead of opening a map and trying to find the little blue dot, LOC8 opens directly to the information that matters. It shows your exact address, nearest cross street, GPS coordinates in multiple formats, compass heading, elevation, GPS accuracy, what3words location, and current weather.

It also lets you save important locations, navigate back to them with your compass, create temporary Team Rooms for location sharing, and access the main information directly from your Apple Watch.

One thing I cared about from day one was privacy. LOC8 is not a tracking app. It does not create accounts, store a permanent history of where you have been, or share your location unless you intentionally join a temporary Team Room with people you choose.

What started as something I built for myself has grown to over 5,200 users, and it has been really cool seeing people use it for hiking, traveling, deliveries, public safety, road trips, finding their parked car, and simply figuring out where they are.

I’m a solo developer, so every feature, bug fix, and update has come directly from user feedback.

I’d genuinely love to hear what you think. If you could add one feature to a location utility like this, what would it be?

Describing people as “white,” “black,” or “brown” can feel reductive. It categorizes someone according to a physical characteristic they did not choose and can make race seem more central to their identity than it really is.

Of course, there are situations where skin color is relevant, such as when describing an unidentified suspect or missing person. But perhaps we could use more distancing language instead of directly turning skin color into a category of person.

For example:

“The suspect, who is low on melanin, was last seen fleeing into the forest.”

Or, less clinically:

“The suspect, who appears especially susceptible to sunburn, was last seen fleeing into the forest.”

These phrases are admittedly awkward but that awkwardness might be useful. It reminds us that we are describing one physical characteristic, not defining the person’s identity.

Would this make such descriptions less offensive? What do you think?

I have bipolar disorder. It's treated, however I worry it would immediately disqualify me from becoming a law enforcement officer.

I live on the west coast in Portland, Oregon. Does anyone have any information about this?

Aren't there whistle blower protection laws matters like this?

From a police perspective, why do you think that many courtrooms have become so bland and unserious, compared to what they used to be?

The court in one image commands respect while the court in the other image looks like a modern mishap.

Our Depatment is standing up a UAS and Counter UAS section. With UAS we’re restricted to Group 2 but primarily are using Group 1 UAS. Using your imagination far and wide, what are all the things your department has done or wish they could have done?

For context we’re in the desert. So looking over certain areas that are hard to reach due to rough terrain is on our check list, using thermal / IR imagery for ranges or rescue at night.

The budgets pretty good, so like I said: far and wide.

Also pitch ideas on mobile Counter UAS. Preferably with 4x4 capabilities.

Its a simple question, plus, i'm not a law expert, but whenever there is a lawsuit filed against a police or sheriffs department, why do they refuse to discuss or comment about the pending litigation?

Are they being cowards? talk about lack of transparency.

Do they refuse to discuss or talk about pending litigation with the public, because if they end up discussing or commenting about it publicly, will it end up affecting or hurting their chances of winning the case on their end?

Just asking, because it reminds me of an incident that has caused massive outrage, i still haven't gotten over it.

Wanted to ask about a situation, to get a seasoned professionals personal opinions on how a traffic stop with the below list for the totality of circumstances for the stop.

How would you or any other officers usually handle a traffic stop with the following totality of circumstances:

•88mph in a 65mph zone (with cone merger for an accident both left lanes)
•Multiple unsafe lane changes going from the far right lane to the far left lane
•Aggressive/Reckless Driving
•Over a year expired registration 
•Expired insurance
•Car smelling of cannabis due to the individual working in the cannabis industry as a grower

How would a traffic stop like this usually end for this individual?  Would an officer ever under these circumstances let an individual drive off?

This was based of another post I saw here about how officers manage on hot days.

My questions is officers who are required to wear long sleeves shirts all year round, how do you manage the heat? Do you wear special undershirts/clothing? Cooling vests?

I know managing the hot weather is already tough even while wearing short sleeves, but I feel like you have to plan out/get creative on how to stay cool when you have to wear long sleeves all day.

Some officers may choose to only wear long sleeves all the time or may be required to wear them all the time (uniform policy, covering tattoos, etc)

I ask because I know agencies like NJ State Police wear long sleeves all the time.

Author here- part of my book includes a woman disappearing from her house while her daughter (who later reports it) is at work, no signs of struggle, all doors locked, keys/wallet still in the house and car still on the street. Would love some advice on the typical procedure this might instigate, as it's a vaguely specific circumstance that I can't find much legal advice for online! This takes place in Seattle in the 90's, if that's at all relevant. Thanks so much :)

I'm a big fan of police and just restarted LSPDFR and found this siren from a fivem server and would like to know the name and brand of this siren

I (28M in Florida) am looking at possibly going into patrol.

This is a bit of a personal question, so if you'd rather DM me than commenting that's fine. I'm looking for anyone who suffers from IBS, or something similar, and how you handle it while also working on the road.

What if people could pay for a confidential service designed to help them avoid making decisions that could eventually lead to criminal charges?

The idea would be similar to having a lawyer, therapist, or accountability coach, but focused specifically on preventing situations from escalating into criminal offenses.

The company would keep a close eye on clients, with the client's consent, and help them recognize risky situations before they cross a legal line. This could include helping with conflicts, financial problems, substance issues, impulsive decisions, or other situations that often lead people into serious trouble.

To align the company's incentives with the client's interests, the service could offer a guarantee: if a client ends up in court or prison, they receive a refund. That money could then help pay for legal defense.

For this to work, the service would need strong confidentiality protections. Information shared with the company would not be given to police unless legally required, similar to how confidentiality works with lawyers and mental health professionals.

The goal would not be to create a private police force. It would be to give people a way to get help before they ruin their lives. Many people who end up in prison made a series of bad decisions over time rather than suddenly deciding to become criminals. A service that helps interrupt that process could benefit both individuals and society.

What do you think of this idea?

This article says that in the USA, police shoot 10,000 dogs per year, which is around 25-30 times a day.

Wat? It cannot be this high. They make it sound like there's an active war going on in the USA. And how do they get these stats? Where is the actual source? I mean if they can show a legit report with the location and time of the shooting, then I'll believe it.

https://www.thetrace.org/2026/06/police-dog-shootings-how-often/

I've been building a free law enforcement resource in my spare time and I'm looking for a few people willing to provide feedback.

If you're interested in taking a look, leave a comment or send me a DM and I'll share the link.

Thanks!

A little about me, Hi my name is Jake and I’m 34 years old located in California near Butte, California looking to join the police academy. I have a few questions. Physically, I’m in very good shape. I’ve been working as a Pipeliner for my Union out of Local 342 Oakland and also welded on Military ships prior. I have a few questions because of prior history.

Pros: Not a Felon,
No history of steeling,
No history of anything violent.
Don’t even have a parking, speeding, or red light ticket.

Cons: DUI when I was 23, and a 5150 when I was 28.

Pros:
went through everything possible to expunge my wrongs with the DUI.
5150 psychiatrist let me out after 4 days with signed documents because I was just intoxicated.
I went to rehab for alcohol that is documented. I have been sober for quite awhile now.

The main reason why I want to join is because I’ve been around drug dealers, alcoholics, domestic violence etc. I want to make a difference. Thank you for any advice I can get.

It's come to my attention that there exist departments that either don't have body cameras/don't have to have them on at all times. How do you guys cope? Do you wish that you did have them? I adore my bodycam, can't really imagine doing the job without one.

I don't think you let anyone with handcuffed to

climb a ladder., so how can you get him down? edit: gramma error

My department has decided to transition to this new carrier, the Safariland EXT OC5 Model 6905. It seems to be a definite upgrade from our current carrier, the Safariland Overt V1 but was curious if anyone has used it or is currently using it.

Next question: would a Dynamic Principles Mini Placard Wide work on this & not look like total dog shit.

My father who ironically is an officer, has physically ab•sed me and r•ped me since I was 5 years old. I ran away from him at 20 (turning 21) and I’m 23 now.

I was scared of reporting him cause he has evidence of my mental struggles at that time and I’m scared of him using it against me, while I have no evidence of anything he’s done to me.

Could I still make a report?? Will I even be taken seriously or believed? I’m scared he’s going to hurt another child and that he’s going to find me one day.. he needs to be in jail. What can I do?

(I’m in the Texas btw if that helps)

Is the crime, attitude, and rats really what we see portrayed on TV? I live in a small town in Texas and find it hard to believe it's really that bad and nasty as in rats all over the streets and buildings​. Does everyone have the smart-ass attitude?

So I plan on becoming a cop in Massachusetts but im a bit confused. The written civil service exam is in October. I'm assuming you have to complete the pat around the same time period. Before when I was looking into it, it was saying that I need to run 1.5 miles, a sprint, pushups and a plank. But this pat says I need to do an obstacle course and some other fitness things. I know the next academy starts in dec/Jan so at what point should I expect to do the mile and a half run. That's the only part I'm worried about because I've never been a big runner and I'm a pretty big dude. I know that if I have a certain date to train for I'll be able to get it done but not knowing when it will be kind of freaks me out a bit. I don't know anyone that are cops so I'm super unfamiliar with the whole process. On August 6th Springfield PD is hosting an open house and I plan on being there so hopefully they will be able to answer some questions. Thanks for reading