# PS Officer Handbook — Police law & tools (Scotland) > Offline digital reference for police officers with searchable legislation and procedures. (iPhone/iPad app by Gary Kilpatrick.) - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ps-officer-handbook/id6760718954 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`) - Developer: [Gary Kilpatrick](https://appshunter.io/developer/1885895181) - Category: Reference, Education - Price: $5.99 - Age rating: 12+ - Requires: iOS 15.1 · 92 MB - Languages: American English - Released: 2026-03-23 - Data updated: 2026-08-19 - Monetization: free - User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ps-officer-handbook/id6760718954/reviews.md ## What is PS Officer Handbook? PS Officer Handbook is a professional digital reference tool built to support with operational and day-to-day policing duties. Designed for frontline use, the app provides structured, searchable access to key legislation, procedures, and core operational topics — all in one place and available offline once loaded. Whether you are a probationer building knowledge, an experienced officer refreshing legislation, or preparing reports, PS Officer Handbook helps you find what you need quickly and confidently. Key Features: • Quick access to core legislation and policing topics • Smart search across offences and legal references • Structured topic navigation for fast decision support • Favourites system for frequently used material • Fully offline functionality after initial load • Report templates • Clean, professional interface designed for operational environments This app is intended as a reference aid only and does not replace official policy, legal advice, or supervisory guidance. Officers should always consult official Police Scotland publications and Crown Office & Procurator Fiscal Service guidance where appropriate. PS Officer Handbook is independently developed to support professional development and operational confidence, aiming to provide on the spot access to legislation and other useful operational information regardless of signal. IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER This app is NOT affiliated with, endorsed by, or officially connected to Police Scotland, the Scottish Government, or any UK government body. It is an independently developed reference tool created to support professional learning and operational confidence. All legislation and public guidance referenced within the app is sourced from official UK government publications and publicly available materials, including: • UK Legislation – https://www.legislation.gov.uk • Scottish Legislation – https://www.legislation.gov.uk/scotland • Crown Office & Procurator Fiscal Service – https://www.copfs.gov.uk • Police Scotland – https://www.scotland.police.uk • Scottish Courts & Tribunals Service – https://www.scotcourts.gov.uk ## Key features - Searchable legislation and policing topics - Smart search for offenses and legal references - Structured topic navigation - Favourites system - Offline functionality - AI-assisted report templates ## Recent user reviews (4 of 4) All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ps-officer-handbook/id6760718954/reviews.md ### 5/5 — Great App! *2026-08-05* I have recently transferred from Wales to Scotland and was finding the transition from PACE difficult. This has been such a help, thank you! ### 5/5 — Amazing, useful app⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ *2026-04-02* PS Handbook has been a game changer for me. The layout is clean, easy to navigate, and packed with useful information that’s actually relevant and up to date. It’s clear a lot of thought has gone into making everything accessible and user-friendly. I especially love how quickly I can find what I need without digging through loads of unnecessary content. Whether you’re new or experienced, this app makes everything straightforward and stress-free. Highly recommend to anyone looking for a reliable and well-designed handbook app! ### 5/5 — Very good app *2026-03-26* This is an excellent app for quick reference and guidance. Looks good, easy to navigate and the ability to favourite things I may need to reference often is very handy. The calculator for overweight vehicle is very handy. I’m still exploring all the features but is definitely worth the money. Thanks ### 5/5 — 10/10 app *2026-03-26* Easy to navigate and has everything that is required to assist officers with their duties. Well done Gary, super proud of you. ## Frequently asked questions about PS Officer Handbook ### What is PS Officer Handbook? PS Officer Handbook is an independently developed digital reference tool designed to support police officers with operational duties by providing quick, searchable access to legislation and procedures. It aims to enhance professional development and operational confidence. ### Can I use PS Officer Handbook offline? Yes, PS Officer Handbook offers fully offline functionality after the initial content load. This ensures officers can access critical information regardless of network signal availability. ### What kind of information does PS Officer Handbook provide? The app provides structured, searchable access to key legislation, policing procedures, and core operational topics. It also includes AI-assisted report templates to help officers prepare reports efficiently. ### Is PS Officer Handbook affiliated with Police Scotland? No, PS Officer Handbook is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or officially connected to Police Scotland, the Scottish Government, or any UK government body. It is an independently developed reference tool. ### How often is PS Officer Handbook updated? The latest version of PS Officer Handbook is 1.9.5, last updated on May 29, 2026. While specific update frequency isn't detailed, the app is actively maintained. ### What is the age rating for PS Officer Handbook? PS Officer Handbook has an age rating of 12+. This indicates it is suitable for users aged 12 and above. ### Where does PS Officer Handbook source its information? All legislation and public guidance referenced within the app are sourced from official UK government publications and publicly available materials, including legislation.gov.uk and copfs.gov.uk. ### What are the benefits of using PS Officer Handbook? Users benefit from quick access to essential information, smart search capabilities, structured navigation for fast decision support, and the convenience of offline access. The AI-assisted report templates also streamline report writing. ## Version history (last 5 releases) ### 1.9.6 — 2026-07-14 This update introduces Ask PS, a new conversational reference assistant designed to help users quickly find relevant information within the handbook and ask follow-up questions where further detail is needed. Also included in this release: • Audio playback for Definitions, with voice and speed controls • A major redesign of the Probationer Toolkit • Improved Crime – Essential Elements and Charge Builder sections • New Motorcycles, Taxis & Private Hire, and Sexual Offences reference tools • Expanded road traffic Fixed Penalty Notice guidance • General interface improvements, performance updates and reliability fixes ### 1.9.5 — 2026-05-29 This update adds a new Vehicle Mods reference tool, along with UI improvements and general refinements across PS Handbook. What’s new: • Added a new Vehicle Mods reference tool covering common vehicle modifications, including window tints, sun strips, number plates, exhausts, lighting, wheels, tyres, suspension, bodywork and related legislation. • Improved road traffic reference content with clearer structure, better signposting and supporting legislation where appropriate. • Added further UI refinements across the app to improve readability, layout consistency and overall polish. • Improved search terms and cross-linking to help users find relevant tools and references more quickly. • Applied general fixes and reliability improvements throughout the app. PS Handbook continues to be developed as a practical, offline reference tool for operational and day-to-day policing use. ### 1.9.2 — 2026-05-15 This version introduces several large new sections and improvements across the app, including: • Probationer Tool Kit A new dedicated learning and revision hub for new officers, with start-here guidance, incident learning cards, evidence prompts, common pitfalls, revision support, and links into related PS Handbook tools. • Charge Builder A major new reference tool for structured offence templates, guided charge wording, legal references, review prompts, and copy-ready outputs. • Crime – Essential Elements Expanded and refined offence coverage with clearer proofing prompts, improved legal-reference presentation, and better support for checking common offence points. • Definitions Expanded with a broader range of policing, legal, procedural, evidential, court, road traffic, drugs, weapons, domestic abuse, safeguarding, and incident-management terms. • Workers’ Protection Reference New Scotland-focused reference covering emergency-worker offences, retail-worker offences, aggravations, practical examples, and source links. • Highway Code Reference Tool Added a searchable Highway Code reference section with rule guidance, signs, signals, motorway guidance, and in-app rule-number scanning. • Major UI Upgrade Improved navigation, refreshed layouts, better visual hierarchy, refined cards and controls, and a more polished experience across key areas of the app. • Improved Search Search now includes reference tools alongside handbook content, making it easier to find Charge Builder, Highway Code, police powers, road traffic tools, and other key sections. This update also includes general refinements, layout improvements, and usability enhancements throughout the app. ### 1.4.1 — 2026-04-14 What’s New in v2026.04.13 This update introduces major navigation improvements alongside new operational tools and expanded guidance to support faster, more effective decision-making on the frontline. Navigation & Favourites – Reworked Faster, more intuitive access across the app Improved menu structure for Reference Tools and General Topics Redesigned Favourites with clear separation between saved content and tools Quicker access to frequently used sections under pressure New: Crime – Essential Elements New offence-proofing section for Scotland Searchable offence cards with key proof points and mental elements Clear legislation references and operational notes Includes wider road traffic and niche offences (e.g. Civic Government Act s57) New: Children & Young Persons Scotland-focused guidance and reference tool Covers child cruelty/neglect offences and 1937 Act legislation Key evidence points and safeguarding-focused response guidance New: Witness Statements Practical guidance for taking effective statements Covers structure, open questioning, and contamination control Includes Scottish National Standard Statement essentials Focus on vulnerability, support planning, and court-ready quality Expanded: Towing, Road Traffic & Direct Measures New Towing & Trailers reference tool Expanded Road Traffic guidance including towing legislation Updated Direct Measures with towing-specific offence routes Clearer roadside enforcement guidance This update focuses on speed, clarity, and usability — helping you access the right information quickly while improving offence proofing, safeguarding, and roadside decision-making. ### 1.3.1 — 2026-04-01 What’s New (v2026.04.01) This update delivers a major expansion of operational guidance, alongside important usability improvements to help you work faster and more effectively on the frontline. -New: Missing Persons Reference Tool Structured guidance on risk grading and enquiries Covers Herbert & Philomena protocols Clear steps for ongoing investigations and when a person is found - New: Mental Health Reference Tool Guidance on crisis recognition and de-escalation Covers Section 297 & 293 powers and detention pathways Includes handover procedures and safeguarding considerations -Expanded: Road Traffic & Direct Measures Additional fatal driving offences and evidential provisions Updated sentencing guidance and insurance enforcement Expanded Direct Measures content including ASBFPN updates New guidance on antisocial vehicle warnings and seizure (s126) - Public Order Improvements Expanded handbook with broader Scottish legislation Updated offence coverage including harassment and vandalism Improved charge selection, evidence guidance, and hate crime alignment Reworked reference tools for clearer navigation and usability -Domestic Abuse – Updated Full refresh aligned with Scottish DASA legislation Coercive control markers and risk escalation indicators Updated DAPN/DAPO guidance and safeguarding support -Improvements & Fixes Enhanced dark mode readability for operational use in low light Improved search accuracy for faster section lookups General usability improvements across multiple tools --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-19.*