Sheriff's deputies from Corvallis create iPhone app 'Ask-A-Cop'

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Story Published: Oct 30, 2009 at 12:45 PM PST

By Melica Johnson KATU News and KATU.com Staff

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SALEM, Ore. - If you’re getting pulled over by the police and don’t know what to tell the officer, just pull out your iPhone.

A new iPhone application called Ask-A-Cop tells drivers what they should do to avoid a ticket.

Who would create such an app? Why, two Benton County deputies, of course.

“The point of the app wasn’t to let out any secrets,” said co-developer Daniel Dodson. “It was more or less to help citizens interact with us.”

Co-developer Mark Luna and Dodson asked a number of police officers for advice before creating Ask-A-Cop.

According to the app, a cop’s decision to cite you almost always comes down to your attitude.

“Part of the discretion is gauging how well that person is being educated at that moment,” said Luna. “Are they going to learn best by a warning or learn best by a citation?”

To improve your chances of getting out of a ticket the app says, “A friendly greeting and courteous behavior will often be all it takes to get out of the citation.”

It also says that “crying does not work. In fact, it usually only secures your ticket.”

If you’re pulled over for speeding and the officer sees your radar detector, forget it, you’re likely getting a ticket.

“If it looks like you’re trying to get out of a ticket right out of the gate, that doesn’t help your situation by any means,” said Dodson.

And how fast can you really go? The app has that too.

On highways with posted speed limits between 55 mph and 65 mph you can usually go 8 mph to 10 mph faster.

On freeways with limits of 65 mph and 75 mph you can go 5 mph to 7 mph more.

What about if you’re parked in a 30-minute parking spot too long and you get a parking ticket? Can Ask-A-Cop help you there?

“No. You can’t even get out of parking tickets even if you have a badge,” said Luna.

Benton County Sheriff Diana Simpson says she encouraged the deputies to create the app if it makes their job easier. Besides, she said she can’t regulate the content since they’re doing it on their own time.

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