Why Do Police Officers Use Social Media

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Recommended: The impacts of technology in law enforcement

Introduction

As officer of the law enforcement and servants of the state crime fighting apparatus the police officers have a duty to guard against too much openness in communicating and spilling the beans to the public as it might have the chance to jeopardise ongoing investigations. However as the citizens of a modern society where social media is ever present one can’t be really able to keep all the social media savvy people away from using these means of communication. But these shall be a limit to what people in these positions can do and how far they can go as far as using the social media sites and forms to express themselves. Even most of the police departments have a social media presence now a days. Most police organisations are …show more content…

In the United States in the last few years more than 13/rd of the crimes are notified through social media. This phenomenon has grown by more than 11% in the last 2 years. Public are increasingly being notified about emergency situations, and traffic issues. Police officers are increasingly seeking public’s knowledge to find clues about criminals and criminal incidents.
Law enforcement officers share social media success stories

Law enforcement use of social media to anticipate criminal activity experienced a significant increase in the last few years. More than 51% people surveyed have expressed their opinion that they follow tip offs about criminal activities. Law enforcement personnel are using social media tools in increasingly unique and effective ways, from locating criminals and evidence to communicating directly with the community about public safety matters

Directions to use Social Media and communication technology to serve better
However using social media platforms while on duty can be risky and irksome. Police officers can’t be fully stopped from using such platforms in their personal space but they must not use official time for personal purpose. It can create conflicts of interest and can be used by criminal elements to target them and their departments and this can be …show more content…

No messages related to crimes they are investigating or about a particular criminal they are investigating shall not be listed on a personal space.
4. Police and law enforcement officer shall not under any circumstances reveal details of departmental work to any outside people using any type of media space other which was allowed to them.
5. Personal comments shall not be made whether officially or personally which can create social unrest.
6. Police officers investigating potential crimes must not use the social media without consulting their social media cell.
7. Do not use business e-mail for jokes or frivolous messages.
8. Deal with personal or sensitive issues in person, not through an impersonal electronic medium.
9. Police officers shall keep in mind that emails are not private correspondence and can become public without their consent. Thus sensitive remarks can’t be made via such mails.
10. Use caution when responding to e-mails. How something is said in e-mail language is just as important as what is said. No matter how emotional the issue or the contents of the e-mail received and the resultant need to verbalize emotions, do not vent and send.
11. Sensitive information of any kind be kept away from social media

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