ACLU phone app allows users to document police encounters

RALEIGH – The ACLU of North Carolina on Tuesday launched Mobile Justice NC, a free smartphone app that allows North Carolinians to automatically record and submit cellphone videos to the ACLU of North Carolina when they believe law enforcement officers are violating civil rights.

Mobile Justice NC is available for use on Android and iOS phones in English and Spanish, according to an ACLU news release. The videos recorded by the app will be transmitted to the ACLU-NC and preserved even if the user’s phone is later seized or destroyed.

“Our office receives hundreds of calls each year from people describing bad encounters with the police,” said Carolyna Caicedo Manrique, staff attorney for the ACLU of North Carolina. “This tool gives North Carolinians the ability to serve as a check on police abuse when they believe it is occurring, allowing users to record and document any interaction with law enforcement.”

But Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Randy Sorrells said app users should be mindful of certain kinds of police investigative powers at a scene.

“As far as an uninvolved witness, they are free to do as they please,” Sorrells said. “I would remind everyone that if they have evidence of a crime on their phone, it would certainly be subject to search and seizure as with any evidence. As far as someone who is directly involved with an officer, the recording is not unlawful as we have issued body cams to our officers to do the same. The issue could be if their actions resisted, delayed or obstructed the officer from doing their duty, then it could be a violation of the law. That is the quick answer, but of course each case would be decided on the individual facts.”

Mobile Justice NC can be downloaded free through Apple’s App Store or Google Play. It enables users to register, record, witness and report interactions with law enforcement and includes information on individual rights.

Here’s a look at the functions:

•“Record” allows individuals to capture exchanges with police officers and other law enforcement officials in audio and video files that are automatically sent to the ACLU of North Carolina.

•“Witness” sends out an alert to anyone with the app, giving them the option to go to the location and document the encounter when police stop someone.

•“Report” allows the app user to complete an incident report and send it directly to the ACLU for review.

•“Know Your Rights” provides an overview of what rights protect you when you are stopped by law enforcement officers.

While Mobile Justice NC is intended for use by bystanders, ACLU officials say some users may want to use it while they are involved in a police encounter. Anyone interacting with law enforcement should announce that they are reaching for a phone, and that they are attempting to access the app to record the exchange, according to ACLU. Users’ safety depends on their ability to clearly communicate any actions they take and remain calm.

The ACLU of North Carolina will be working with community organizations to provide “Know Your Rights” trainings on how to use the app as well as basic rights related to interactions with law enforcement. Interested groups should contact the ACLU to arrange trainings available in English and Spanish.

For more information, including a video explainer, and to download the app, visit acluofnc.org/app.

Mobile Justice apps have been released by ACLU state affiliates across the country, including those in California, Michigan, Missouri, Mississippi, Nebraska, and Oregon, with other ACLU state affiliates planning to release their own versions later this year. The apps are modeled after the New York Civil Liberties Union’s Stop and Frisk app.