U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has released an new iOS app, Operation Predator, designed to allow the general public to assist them in tracking down child predators currently avoiding criminal prosecution.
Dubbed ‘Operation Predator,’ the app is representative of an emerging trend in law enforcement toward engaging the public and putting more information at people’s fingertips. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is the first federal law enforcement agency to embrace the technology.
The app provides information about fugitive and suspected child predators, and allows users to anonymously submit tips via the app any time of day. The app can also deliver push notifications of wanted individuals, and allows sharing of the information via email and social media. Updates about arrests, prosecutions, and other information about ICE’s operations are also available.
In the news release announcing the app, John Sandweg, ICE Acting Director, noted how important it is to use modern technology to assist the department in its investigations: “When children are being sexually abused and exploited, it’s a race against the clock to rescue the child and bring the predator to justice. These investigations are one of our highest priorities, and in today’s world, we need to be technologically savvy and innovative in our approach,” he said.
The was developed by ICE’s Office of Public Affairs using input from field offices around the United States and with assistance from the Homeland Security Investigations’ Cyber Crimes Center.
The Operation Predator app is available FREE for the iPhone in the App Store. [DIRECT LINK]
