NCJ Number
250835
Date Published
2011
Length
1 page
Annotation
This fact sheet offers suggestions for how a law enforcement agency can increase its social media presence.
Abstract
The discussion addresses the launching, promotion, and engagement with the community of an agency's social media presence. Before launching social media activity, an agency should have a strategy for social media use. The launch should then occur in conjunction with a significant community event or occurrence that provides a suitable context for publicizing the launch. Traditional community media outlets should be central in publicizing the agency's social media launch. Ongoing promotion of an agency's social media presence should include having a link on the agency's website, mentioning it in agency printed material, and having agency leaders comment on the benefits of the agency's social media presence in their public comments. Other promotion suggestions are to add links to agency social media in email signatures that go out to other community agencies, as well as to ask other social media users to mention the agency social media presence. Using social media to engage the community in agency missions and concerns should include asking for feedback on agency performance, soliciting and answering questions, and asking for residents help in addressing public safety issues.