Improving Police Social Media Use Practices

Phenomenological study findings identified police social media site use practices that law enforcement leadership may wish to consider incorporating. Findings showed that members of the public in their lived experiences desired two-way asynchronous and synchronous interpersonal communication capabilities when accessing social media platforms maintained by law enforcement agencies. Improved police social media use practices in these areas may be a gateway to building stronger community relations and using social media as an instrument to aid in crime solving. The themes identified included crime solving, building community-relations, asynchronous versus synchronous engagement, humanistic branding, and public image.