NCJ Number
242095
Date Published
2013
Length
18 pages
Annotation
This document provides results of survey on law enforcement's use of social media.
Abstract
In fall 2013, the IACP conducted its fourth annual survey on law enforcement's use of social media. The survey addressed the current state of practice and the issues agencies are facing in regards to social media. Results show that 95.9 percent of agencies surveyed use social media; that the most common use of social media is for criminal investigations at 86.1 percent; the most frequently used social media platforms are Facebook (92.1 percent), Twitter (64.8 percent), and YouTube (42.9 percent); 57.1 percent of agencies not currently using social media are considering its adoption; 69.4 percent of agencies surveyed have a social media policy and an additional 14.3 percent are in the process of crafting a policy; 80.4 percent of agencies report that social media has helped solve crimes in their jurisdiction; and 73.1 percent of agencies state that social media has improved police-community relations in their jurisdiction. The survey was sent electronically to law enforcement executives across the United States. A total of 500 law enforcement agencies, representing 48 States, participated in the survey. Graphs and charts