Police Tape app can document traffic stops

In a video that looks like something cooked up by elementary-school students, the American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey touts its new, free smartphone app called Police Tape. The application allows users to review their rights on the spot and to record both video and audio when stopped by police.

Once recorded, files can automatically be uploaded to external servers, where they are retained and examined by the ACLU for possible civil liberties violations.

According to the ACLU-NJ's Web site, the app will not appear on the smartphone's screen while recording.

The app is only for Android phones, but an iPhone version is due to be released soon. For more information and to get the free download, visit the ACLU-NJ's site here.

Only time will tell how the application fares, but fiddling with a phone while ignoring an officer may result in a “UC Berkeley-Davis Capsicum Face Wash.”

By David Arnouts