The Clinton Police Department has a new app—My Police Department, or MyPD—available to the public.

“MyPD is a clearinghouse of information, including breaking news and alerts, reroutes of traffic, storm warnings, most wanted and missing children’s lists, job opportunities, and officers’ contact numbers and emails,” said Police Chief Vince DeMaio.

Users who download the app to their smartphones receive messages from the Clinton Police Department’s Facebook and Twitter accounts.

“There’s also a feature called ‘submit a tip,’” said DeMaio, “where you can provide information about suspected domestic violence, theft, animal abuse, drug offenses, and other criminal activity. Users have the option of submitting tips anonymously, and they can upload photos and enable GPS to pinpoint a location.”

Though tips are sent directly to the appropriate detective, and the police chief is copied on each one, DeMaio said the app is not meant to take the place of emergency calls to 9-1-1.

“We hope this app will increase public safety and provide our citizens, their families, and the public an easy way to keep in touch with local law enforcement personnel,” he said.

MyPD also includes a feature that allows users to commend an officer for a job well done.

Approximately 200 municipal and campus police departments and sheriffs’ offices across the United States use MyPD. Clinton is one of only six law enforcement agencies in Connecticut with the app.

To download the app to your phone, open Android or iPhone store, search for and download MyPD, select “Clinton Police Department,” and choose whether you want to get alerts.