policy development FINAL PAPER

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Policy Development Draft Assignment

Treylesia Alston

Liberty University

CJUS 520

Dr.Pumphrey

April 10,2022

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Abstract

The emergence of social networking platforms, which have proven to be an advantageous

tool for staying in touch and connecting with one another, has made individuals, businesses, and

organizations more linked. It is possible to remain in touch with friends, coworkers, and family

members via these sites because of their ability to facilitate the transmission of information at a

speedier rate. Law enforcement officers may profit from social media sites, which can offer them

with vital information while they are entrusted with protecting the public. Social media may be

used by public information officers from government agencies to interact with members of the

public. The use of social media by police officers, however, can lead to a lack of focus and

productivity on the job. Police and intelligence officers can utilize social media sites for tracking

down and apprehending criminals, while analysts can use social media to gather information on

new forms of criminal behavior. In order to use social media effectively, a strategic framework

must be created.

Keywords: (Social media, Police officers, policy)

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Policy Development Draft Assignment

Introduction

The use of social media by government organizations and law enforcement agencies to

convey information about crime trends and community events, and safety tips has grown rapidly

in recent years. However, there are several cases of police officers and other law enforcement

agencies using social media to be detrimental to their profession. In law enforcement, using

social media for non-work-related purposes can lead to mistakes and undesirable outcomes. This

suggests that the use of social media should be restricted so that authorities may use accessible

social media websites for constructive purposes only. Besides, Mistakes in its use can put police

in danger and jeopardize criminal investigations, leading to both embarrassment and exposure to

civil and criminal liability. Adapting to the social media channels that affect officers' daily life is

essential if law enforcement agencies are to confront these dangers. To achieve this, agencies

must have a thorough understanding of the various forms of social media, its advantages and

disadvantages for law enforcement, and the need for guidelines to regulate how law enforcement

officers use these tools.

Law Enforcement Abuse of Social Media

The recent appearance of a private Facebook page featuring current and former Customs

and Border Protection agents has sparked concerns about law enforcement personnel using social

media to engage with the public. Slanderous remarks concerning migrant deaths and lawmakers

were also made (News, 2022). It's possible that the claims in this case, which include that

members of the group, which includes current and former Border Patrol agents, posted

unprofessional and maybe criminal information on their social media accounts are

genuine.Customs and Border Protection (CBP) placed the agents on administrative duty after

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determining that their actions were not indicative of men and women in society generally (News,

2022). There have been other cases of suspected law enforcement employees using social media,

but this is the most current and most noticed. More than 70 police officers have been taken off

the streets of Philadelphia due to alleged improper social media postings.

Organizational Use of Social Media

Law enforcement organizations may profit from social media in a variety of ways,

including public relations, crime prevention, and criminal investigations. Social media platforms

have made it easier for government agencies to connect with their citizens on a more personal

level. People will have access to real-time information and the ability to send questions,

recommendations, and tips to law enforcement via an online form (Brunty & Helenek, 2014).

Images of jewelry and tattoos seized in 2011, as well as a composite face of an unidentified

victim, have been released by Kentucky State Police detectives. It was because to the post that

police were able to positively identify the dead. Investigators may benefit from the quantity of

data available on social media networks. Using social media, they'll let the world know where

they are and where their coworkers are. Social media has been used to broadcast images and

videos of their illicit activities. Besides, the use of technology data may make it simpler to

apprehend fugitives, locate accomplices, establish links between persons and street gangs, and

collect proof of criminal activities.

Crime-solving initiatives aren't necessarily fans of true crime podcasts in which individuals

happen to fall into circumstances where they can supply significant information. In a similar

case, a photo of a car part was shared on social media and helped solve the hit-and-run death of

Susan Rainwater, who was killed in a hit-and-run accident. Rainwater was killed in a hit-and-run

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accident 60 miles south of Seattle when an unknown vehicle struck and killed her. At the

moment, she was out for a ride on her bike. They didn't know what to do because they had no

leads or witnesses. Only a black piece of plastic from the automobile, which had fallen off when

it hit Susan, served proof. They had nothing else. An unidentifiable item was photographed by a

state trooper who attended the event and posted to Twitter (Brunty & Helenek, 2014). A Reddit

user called Jeff, who had no prior knowledge of the thing, had a flash of recognition. After

inspecting cars for decades, the guy stated that the plastic piece was from the late 1980s

Chevrolet truck's headlight bezel, which he characterized as "amazing." A suspect was

apprehended after an identification led to his capture.

Law Enforcement Best Practice for the Regulation Officer Social Media Activity

Developing a robust and strict social media policy

It is essential for organizations to establish and implement a social media strategy to enjoy

the benefits of social media while minimizing avoidable risks, such as a breach of trust, in the

most effective manner. To their benefit, a broad range of tools and resources are readily available

to assist companies in formulating sound policy plans (Stuart, 2022). The International

Association of Chiefs of Police suggests the following five policy considerations to any

institution developing a social media strategy (IACP). Many considerations must be made, such

as establishing the policy's scope, providing information for official usage, explaining guidelines

for personal use, addressing appropriate legal challenges, and referring to analogous policies as

examples.

Declaring specific objectives in the policy

Following the above-mentioned general guidance will bring several advantages. It's

important to note that a lot of law enforcement and government agencies utilize social media for

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specific purposes including enhancing investigations, screening new workers, or encouraging

community engagement (Stuart, 2022). Even though social media can provide these advantages,

it is recommended that companies include language in their social media strategy establishing

community involvement as a priority in order to enjoy the benefits of social media. "The

Department promotes the secure use of social media to increase community involvement and

information dissemination and neighborhood safety," stated the Seattle Police Department's

social media policy.

Identifying a social media manager

Having media relations coordinators, community relations officers, and public safety

directors is a proven best practice for police forces. As the ones in charge of approving material,

choosing who is permitted to post on behalf of the department, and setting particular social

media goals and activities, these persons are referred to as "authority figures." Be aware that

there are a number of communication management methods (Stuart, 2022). The usage of social

media in the workplace is regulated by an authorized official in several agencies. When it comes

to using social media for professional purposes, other agencies leave it up to the discretion of

individual officers. As a general rule, at least one person should be appointed as the social media

authority in every particular situation. Depending on the structure and capabilities of the

business, assigning social media management to a community relations officer may be an

effective way to develop community connection. Smaller agencies may find it easier to delegate

this role to a sworn or civilian member of the agency's leadership.

Departmental Policy Outline

Police department

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Department policy outline regarding social media use

 The use of social media by government organizations and law enforcement agencies

to convey information about crime trends and community events, as well as safety tips, has

grown rapidly in recent years

 To our benefit, we can use social media for productive processes like public

relations, crime prevention, and criminal investigation. All officers can use social media

positively and professionally, but with great caution.

 The department's social media manager should be authorized and known for using

and utilizing the social media platform.

 Before using social media in any means, all officers should be aware of its negative

use and the respective consequences that come from the respective activities.

Conclusion

Social media has grown rapidly in the last decade, especially since smartphones and social

media apps have become widely available. Many people see social networking sites as useful

tools for interacting with others about themselves and their lives, but law enforcement has a

variety of concerns about them. The Christian community's hostility and discouragement toward

social media and other technology are exacerbated by concerns such as excessive and

unintentional usage of social media. As smartphones and social media allow amateur reporters to

capture and transmit only the information they wish to provide, millions of people may watch

and criticize their reporting (Tiry et al., 2022). Police officers' jobs have become considerably

more unsafe due to people filming their interactions with law enforcement and starting fresh

conflicts. Because of how easily personal information can be obtained on social media, police

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officers' jobs are becoming more dangerous even when they are not on duty. This includes the

risk to officers' families while not on duty. As a result, the use and exploitation of social media in

law enforcement must be monitored and regulated.

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References

Brunty, J., & Helenek, K. (2014). Social media investigation for law enforcement. Routledge.

Jeanis, M. N., Muniz, C. N., & Molbert, C. L. (2021). Law enforcement and social media usage:

An analysis of engagement. Policing: A Journal of Policy and Practice, 15(1), 570-583.

Kim, K., Mohr, A. O. N. E., & Oglesby, A. (2017). 2016 Law enforcement use of social media

survey. The report, International Association of Chiefs of Police and the Urban Institute.

Mateescu, A., Brunton, D., Rosenblat, A., Patton, D., Gold, Z., & Boyd, D. (2015). Social media

surveillance and law enforcement. Data Civ Rights, 27, 2015-2027.

News, A. (2022). The dangers of social media for law enforcement take center stage amid series

of scandals: Analysis. ABC News. Retrieved 1 April 2022, from

https://abcnews.go.com/US/dangers-social-media-law-enforcement-center-stage-

amid/story?id=64252037.

Stuart, R. (2022). Social Media: Establishing Criteria for Law Enforcement Use | FBI: Law

Enforcement Bulletin. FBI: Law Enforcement Bulletin. Retrieved 1 April 2022, from

https://leb.fbi.gov/articles/featured-articles/social-media-establishing-criteria-for-law-

enforcement-use

Tiry, E., Oglesby-Neal, A., & Kim, K. (2022). Urban.org. Retrieved 1 April 2022, from

https://www.urban.org/sites/default/files/publication/99786/social_media_guidebook_for_l

aw_enforcement_agencies_0.pdf

Waters, G. (2012). Social media and law enforcement: Potential risks. FBI L. Enforcement

Bull., 81, 1.