THE USE AND EFFECTIVENESS OF LAW ENFORCEMENT SOCIAL MEDIA SITES

Abstract

There is ample evidence that social media is an effective tool during time of crises, as noted by events such as the Boston Marathon bombing or the Las Vegas mass shooting when police used their social media to communicate directly with the public. However, little research has been conducted on how social media can enhance the toolbox of police agencies to help with non-emergency issues, such as building community relations. Previous research offers a glimpse into ways that police agencies typically use social media. This paper will take a step further to determine if law enforcement is accomplishing its goals with social media. Residents and law enforcement officers were asked to evaluate their department’s social media sites, make assessments on what it appears the agency is attempting to achieve, and evaluate whether the site accomplishes that goal. Further, both audiences made suggestions on what they believe social media should be used for. This research allows police agencies insight into how to use social media sites to accomplish their goals and offers perspectives on what the law enforcement and non-law enforcement audience wants or expects to see.