Tweeting Your Way to Better Community Relations

• NCJ Number: 242756
• Author(s): Michelle Coppola
• Date Published: July 2013
• Length: 2 pages
• Grant Number(s): 2010-MU-MU-K020
• Agencies: NIJ-Sponsored
• Publication Type: Best Practice/State-of-the-Art Review

Annotation

This article from the summer 2013 issue of TechBeat discusses the use of social media to improve police-community relations.

Abstract

Twitter is one of several social media sites available for use by law enforcement to maintain relations with citizens and communities. This article from the summer 2013 issue of TechBeat magazine discusses the use of social media, specifically Twitter, to improve police-community relations. The article highlights the work of the Riley County Police Department in Manhattan, KS, to incorporate the use of Twitter in their communications efforts with the community. The primary reasons behind the department's use of Twitter are as a public relations tool and to improve communications between the community and the police department. The article notes that the department uses their Twitter account to notify the community about "crime alerts, road closings, accidents, community events, and dangerous weather conditions, and to ask for citizens' help in solving crimes." The department also conducts regular question-and-answer sessions on Twitter for the general public, as well as sessions where individuals can Tweet with patrol officers as they make their rounds. The agency notes that the community's response to the department's Twitter site has been largely positive.