We use WhatApp live location to provide a safety overwatch to our beat stalkers. It is VERY signal dependent and in poor reception areas, it will not update for long periods. I’m currently watching 2 of our stalkers out this morning with good tracking. When I’m out later, I’ll be in the worst signal area and it’ll be much poorer, but in these instances the onus is on the stalker to send regular intention/activity updates to his safety overwatch and these messages are “stored”, going when signal is found automatically.
In instances of complete “brain fart” (had one yesterday with a stalker showing miles off beat) a DM to stop and restart the app routinely works. It’s not perfect but it’s free and as we use WhatApp to coordinate our beat access, everyone has it. We have a “lost contact” procedure and the WharsApp location gives us a starting point, but it’s not specific, just an aid to narrow a search down.
I have a Motorola Deny satellite tracker/messanger for remote use (paid Bullet subscription), and this can automatically send routine position updates to nominated phones, as well as having a one button press emergency SOS feature.
