A new app by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), Mobile Justice CA, will enable Californians to record and submit cell phone videos of law enforcement officers violating human rights.
The free app for Android and iOS will allow users to capture exchanges with police officers through videos and audio, which is then sent to the ACLU of California.
Apart from recording the event, witness can also send out alerts to other app users in the area to enable them to document the incident and send it directly to the ACLU for review.
It also gives a brief about the rights that can protect citizens against the scrutiny of law enforcement officers.
ACLU said that the videos and audios recorded using the Mobile Justice CA app will be preserved by ACLU even if the phone is taken away or destroyed by the police.
The app was developed by Quadrant 2, which also created similar apps like the Stop and Frisk Watch app for the New York Civil Liberties Union to address racial profiling.
Mobile Justice is already being used in Missouri, Mississippi, Oregon and Nebraska.
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The app has been launched in the wake of certain high-profile incidents which have raised questions regarding human rights violation by the police.
The Ella Baker Center (EBC) is collaborating with the ACLU of CA to support the launch of the Mobile Justice CA app.
EBC Truth and Reinvestment Campaign director Patrisse Cullors said: "People who historically have had very little power in the face of law enforcement now have this tool to reclaim their power and dignity.
"Our vision is that this app will ultimately help community members connect and organise to respond to incidents of law enforcement violence, and then share their experiences and knowledge with others."
