Digital support for police work: Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann and LMU Munich present innovative translation app ‘FLAP’ to Munich police – faster response times, better communication, greater security
+++ Bavaria’s Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann today presented the innovative translation app ‘Foreign Language Application Police’ (FLAP for short). It was developed by the Munich Police in cooperation with the Ludwig Maximilian University (LMU) Munich, Department of German as a Foreign Language. Herrmann emphasised: “Clear communication is crucial to the success of police operations, both in averting danger and in prosecuting crimes. Language barriers and cultural differences often make communication between the police and citizens very difficult. FLAP on police smartphones enables our officers to overcome these barriers quickly and easily. The app is specially tailored to the needs of the Bavarian police and thus increases safety for everyone involved.” +++
Through short animations and translations in eleven languages, including Ukrainian, Arabic and Kurdish, police officers can use FLAP to easily explain police measures such as identity checks or removal from premises. The Munich police force has tested and evaluated the app in several hundred operations as part of a pilot programme, gathering many positive experiences. The aim of the application is to promote understanding of police procedures, strengthen trust in police measures and break down prejudices. ‘Many refugees in particular have had negative experiences with state institutions in their countries of origin, whether through political persecution or armed conflict. These experiences can cause reservations towards the Bavarian police. This is where FLAP can offer valuable support,’ explained Herrmann. However, FLAP is not only intended to provide support in contact with refugees.
At major international events such as the Munich Oktoberfest, which attracts millions of visitors from Germany and abroad every year, the app enables officers to overcome language barriers quickly and easily. ‘Especially at the “Wiesn”, where cultural diversity meets different languages, FLAP is an important tool for explaining police measures quickly and efficiently in different languages,’ said Herrmann. FLAP can be used in a wide range of everyday police situations, such as identity checks, expulsions or arrests. The app also offers victim-oriented topics, such as explanations of measures related to domestic violence and information on support services for those affected.
The minister thanked everyone involved in developing the app at LMU Munich and the Munich police. ‘FLAP will make an important contribution to ensuring that police operations are conducted in a controlled, swift and peaceful manner. Our goal is to introduce the app to all Bavarian police headquarters in the future.’
