It’s no secret that law enforcement agencies rely on social media to connect with the public. This is especially true in times of crisis, when officers need to build trust and create a connection with the public. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at how police use social media to build relationships and connect with the public. We’ll also explore some of the benefits social media can offer law enforcement.
How Do Police Use Social Media?
Social media is a form of communication that uses online platforms to connect with the public. It allows people from all walks of life to share experiences, thoughts, and ideas with one another. Police use social media as a way to build relationships and connect with the public.
Below are six different ways law enforcement is utilizing social media and real-time search to
enhance tactics, disseminate public information, and ultimately prevent criminal activity.
The Digital “Wanted Poster”
In the vein of an Old West “Wanted” poster, displayed in the most trafficked area of town,
modern-day law enforcement agencies are posting descriptions of criminals on today’s most
trafficked spots — namely the social web.
With millions of users, extraordinary reach, and the lightning-fast exchange of text, photos, and
video, platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube are ideal for getting the word out about
wanted persons with up-to-the-minute updates.
Social Media Stakeout
Social media advocates stress listening as a part of any brand’s online marketing strategy.
Listening to the bad guys doing bad things has always been a part of police work. It’s important
for police to search the real-time web to target particular keywords and phrases being passed
around on social media. Use of social media monitoring has a strategic, tactical and operational
application for law enforcement.
Tracking and Informing with Twitter
As we all know, Twitter has plenty of uses for individuals and companies. Law enforcement also
uses the service to communicate with the public.
Anonymous E-Tipsters
The program allows tipsters to send information anonymously through a variety of means
including “anonymous web chat, text tips and secure social media publishing.” Filtered alerts can
then be pushed out through a police department’s central location to other web mediums.
Bundled with other offerings, tip411 can then be published with Google Maps to create a
clickable, interactive crime “heat map” of sorts where others can click on links directly to add
more information and tips based on location. This program is meant to encourage increased
interaction between the police and the community through real-time web tools.
Tips from the community have been a time-honored way that citizens have worked with the
public to fight crime.
Police Blotter Blogs
Individual cops aren’t about to turn into citizen journalists anytime soon, but the police are able,
through social media and real-time updates, to provide essential information that the public and
news gathering agencies need to know. Journalists today often use the web for their first line of
research, and rely on web-based police reports for many of the details they need for a story.
A police blotter is the record of events at a police station. Traditionally, a desk sergeant kept a
register of these events. Nowadays, Twitter feeds, blogs, YouTube, and Facebook Fan Pages are
being used by captains and chiefs to put out the digital equivalent of the police blotter in real-time.
Publishing a register of crimes and arrests in an area has been an online activity for a while now,
especially through local newspaper websites. But social media is allowing many police officers
on the scene to report the publicly available details of a crime for themselves. Reporters are
getting their facts directly from a stream of real time-data and blog posts coming from the
department.
How Do Police Use Social Media To Solve Crimes?
The use of social media in global crime-fighting is extensive. Common uses include the identification of criminals, evidence sources and submission of distress reports. Police departments around the world are still exploring expansive uses of social media to support crime investigation and prevention.
Despite its obvious advantages, social media involvement in combating crime also poses pitfalls. Law enforcement officers might inadvertently disclose personal information, sensitive operational materials and policing tactics. Also, information released by the police through social media can be misinterpreted by the public.
During the course of our research we were able to identify a number of ways in which social media could help improve crime-fighting performance.
For example, social media platforms can aid police agencies in communicating with the public via their official handles, managed by their new media departments. This has proved very effective in Australia and the the United States of Americaw as sway of disseminating critical crime prevention tips to the public.
Social media platforms can also promote community policing, improve public image, and uphold strong ethical conduct in the police force
How to Use Social Media to Build Relationships and Connect with the Public
When it comes to social media, there are many platforms to choose from. But which is right for you? Here are some tips to help you make the best decision:
-Think about what type of content you’d like to share. r/ Travel, for example, is a great platform for exploring new destinations and learning about local culture.
-Think about who your target audience is. What do they want to know?
-Be mindful of the language you use. Some social media platforms are more sensitive than others to certain types of language or content. For example, LinkedIn and Facebook Messenger are both banned in some countries for containing hate speech or promoting violence. Carefully consider how you’d want your social media posts to be read before posting them!
-Don’t post without thinking first! When sharing photos or videos online, think about how best to caption and share them with the right people – whether that’s friends or family members!
Pros And Cons Of Social Media In Law Enforcement
The pros of social media
Social media can help your department communicate and engage with the public.
Sites such as Facebook and Twitter give your law enforcement agency some control over your reputation. They let you release facts that can squash potentially harmful rumors.
Social media sites can help your agency quickly share information to help keep the public safe. For example, you can alert your community about an emergency storm warning, an accident scene, or an armed suspect at large.
Some agencies even use social media sites to gather tips, track down suspects, and investigate crimes.
Used well, social media connects law enforcement agencies with the community, making police work easier.
Earlier this year, the Norwood Police Department in Massachusetts posted on social media asking the public for help tracking down a man accused of assault.
The post got shared hundreds of times, reaching roughly 36,000 people. The man eventually turned himself into police, likely because of the pressure from social media.
The cons of social media
For all the potential good social media can do, it can also cause a lot of harm. Law enforcement agencies should be very careful with how they use official department social media accounts.
Weighing in on current events, posting memes, or starting a hashtag campaign can backfire. (Take Wendy’s controversial meme use, for example, or the NYPD’s #myNYPD campaign.)
Your officers’ personal use of social media can also reflect badly on your agency as a whole.
You don’t have to look long to find news reports of cases of officers tweeting racist or controversial jokes or posting inappropriate videos while at work or in uniform.
These sort of posts can damage community trust and put your agency under public scrutiny.
Therefore, it’s important for your law enforcement agency to develop solid policies guiding both department-approved uses of social media and officers’ individual uses.
Tips for Using Social Media to Connect with the Public.
When it comes to social media, there are a few key things you should keep in mind. First and foremost, make sure you’re using social media to communicate with the public – not just your friends and family. This will help build relationships with potential customers and customers who may be interested in what you have to say.
Second, use social media to connect with the public in interesting and innovative ways. For example, consider using social media to develop relationships with the city or town where you’re visiting. You could post photos and videos of your visit, offer insights into your research process, or answer questions from residents about their experiences in the area.
And last but not least, be sure to focus on positive interactions with the public. For example, try sharing helpful tips or advice about local businesses or how to save money while on vacation. By doing this, you can create an lasting connection with the community members you’re interacting with online.
Conclusion
Social media can be a great way to connect with the public, build relationships, and connect with the public. However, it’s important to use social media in a proper way and to avoid scamming potential customers. By following these tips, you can make sure that your social media activity is valuable and helpful to the public.