There’s no doubt that the NOPD is working aggressively to cut down on the amount of time it takes for an officer to respond to an emergency call. In fact, current numbers show recent efforts to reduce response times led to a 42 percent reduction in NOPD response times over the past six months. But there’s more work to be done, and while growing the department is the long-term solution, Superintendent Michael Harrison is turning to new technology to make sure that current police resources available are being used efficiently and effectively.

The NOPD Seventh District is currently piloting a new program that aims to streamline the way officers obtain warrants in the field. It’s called Cloud Gavel, and it’s a new app that lets officers complete the entire warrant process electronically without ever leaving the scene of a crime. The electronic warrant system allows officers to write the bulletin and send it to a judge at the push of a button. The judge then receives an email notification alerting them that there’s a warrant to review. They can sign it or make revisions and send it back to the requesting officer.

Having the ability to stay on the scene came in handy during a recent incident involving a man who barricaded himself in an apartment complex. Seventh District officers Stephen McGee and Darius Henry were responding to a traffic crash off of Chef Highway when they heard gunshots nearby. When officers got to the scene, they saw one suspect running away and another suspect running into an apartment, where he barricaded himself with a female and several children. The suspect eventually surrendered and officers were able to secure a search warrant for the weapon without leaving the scene.

“Using e-warrant, I was able to type up a search warrant while on the scene using a handheld device, so it eliminated us having to go to the station, type up a warrant, find a judge, have them sign it and return with a hard copy,” said Detective Perrin Gaines. “It took maybe 20 minutes to do what can often take up to two hours.”

Gaines said that learning to use the app was equally fast and easy.

“It’s very user-friendly,” added Gaines. “If you know how to use a phone and if you know how to check your email, you’ll be able to use it.”

The app was created by Cloud Gavel, a Metairie-based information technology solutions company. The electronic warrant is a cloud-driven automated process that can be used on any Web-enabled mobile device. In addition to NOPD, it’s used by a number of law enforcement agencies throughout the state including Baton Rouge PD, LSU Police, Plaquemines Parish Sheriff’s Department and Louisiana State Police.

Magistrate Commissioner Jonathan Friedman appreciates the efficiency of the new e-warrant process. In addition to simplifying an administrative procedure, it eliminates a lot of waiting around and a lot of driving. 

“The e-warrant system keeps judges from having to stay tethered to their home or office. I can sign a warrant anywhere – even when I’m on the bench,” said Friedman. “They don’t even have to drive to the courthouse for my signature.”

The goal is to have Gavel Cloud available to all NOPD districts by the end of the summer.