Law Enforcement and Social Media

Law Enforcement and Social Media

Historically, law enforcement agencies are frowned from discussing on-going investigations or seek public assistance due to the confidential nature of the profession. One primary concern was not to disclose any discovery of the information as the suspect may learn of it and flee to avoid prosecution.

But due to the economic crisis in 2008 that subsequently resulted in the massive budget cuts from of tax revenues. Many law enforcement agencies across the US were forced to face the inevitable of reducing manpower that detrimentally affect law enforcement on all levels (Bohn, 2008.) Law enforcement personnel are dwindled through attrition and were unable to hire due to the budget shortfalls. As such, crimes are on the rise at an alarming rate (Schoen, 2013.) The common theme of “Doing more with less” caused Law enforcement managers to rely heavily on technology to allay the heavy burden of personnel shortages.

Law enforcement agencies now depend on social media, such as Facebook, to assist with investigation and prosecution of criminals (Kelly, 2012), even apprehending them (Knibbs, 2013.) Over 75% of the largest law enforcement agencies in the US are now using Facebook, Twitter and MySpace social media websites (Liberberman, Koetzle & Sakiyama, 2013.)

Another salient benefit of Facebook for law enforcement is to make public announcements to the citizens of its jurisdiction. Social media became instrumental in fostering the relationship between the communities and the law enforcement officers who have sworn to protect and serve (Basu, 2012.)

Reference:

Basu, I. (2012, August 6). Social media elevates community policing. Digital                           Communities. Retrieved from: http://www.govtech.com/dc/articles/Social-Media-Elevates-Community-Policing.html

Bohn, K. (2008, October 13). Police face cuts as economy falters. CNN. Retrieved                 from: http://www.cnn.com/2008/CRIME/10/23/police.economy/

Kelly, H. (2012, August 30). Police embrace social media as crime fighting tool. CNN.           Retrieved from: http://www.cnn.com/2012/08/30/tech/social   media/fighting-crime-social-media/

Knibbs, K. (2013, July 13). In the online hunt for criminals, social media is the        ultimate snitch. Digital Trends. Retrieved from:             http://www.digitaltrends.com/social-media/the-new-inside-source-for-police-forces-social-networks/

Lieberman, J. D., Koetzle, D., & Sakiyama, M. (2013). Police departments’ use of          Facebook: Patterns and policy issues. Police Quarterly, 16(4), 438-462. Doi: 10.1177/1098611113495049

Schoen, J. W. (2013, November 22). Thinning blue line: Police cuts cripple cities.    CNBC. Retrieved from: http://www.cnbc.com/id/101179469