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IACP 2010: New social media resource for cops

Social media has been used by cops to solve crimes and bridge the gap between law enforcement and members of the community

ORLANDO, Fla. — In an effort to maximize the online presence of law enforcement, the IACP has launched a website called the Center for Social Media.

In partnership with the U.S. Justice Department, the Center aims to improve upon all facets of policing by strategically using sites like Facebook and Twitter.

Social media has been used by cops to solve crimes and bridge the gap between law enforcement and members of the community, increasing police transparency. It’s also a great recruitment tool, especially for younger officers who have grown up with the internet.

The IACP’s website offers free instructions and resources to help implement social media strategies at departments nationwide. The resources include policies, fact sheets, survey results, and frequently asked questions.

“Every police chief should have an understanding of how these tools can be used,” IACP President Michael J. Carroll said, according to The Crime Report. “To enhance our ability to fight crime and enhance service to the communities we serve.”

The IACP is currently holding its annual conference in Orlando where social media innovation is expected to be a major topic of conversation.

Justin Cox
Justin Cox

Police1 Editorial Assistant Justin Cox is responsible for gathering, editing, and posting the website’s daily news content. Using a variety of news subscription services as well as police sources out on the streets, Justin closely follows all issues related to public safety and law enforcement issues. In addition to his daily news responsibilities, Justin observes and pursues the hottest topics for feature columns and articles, with a special focus stories about the men and women who walk the thin blue line.

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