NCJ Number
250839
Date Published
2010
Length
4 pages
Annotation
Developed by the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) Center for Social Media in conjunction with the IACP National Law Enforcement Policy Center, this is a model policy intended as a guide for law enforcement agencies as they prepare for their use of social media as a means of improving communication and interaction with community residents and organizations.
Abstract
The first section of the model policy addresses the "purpose" of the agency's use of social media, which is to "enhance communication, collaboration, and information exchange; streamline processes; and foster productivity." This is followed by a section on "policy," which states why and how the agency is committed to using social media in its operations. Social media is stated to be "a new and potentially valuable means of assisting the department and its personnel in meeting community outreach, problem-solving, investigative, crime prevention, and related objectives." The third section of the model policy provides definitions of various terms commonly used in the social media domain. The fourth section, entitled " On-The-Job Use," outlines the department-sanctioned presence on social media and its potential uses. The fifth and concluding section of the model policy addresses "personal use" of the department's social media presence, which relates to precautions and prohibitions in the agency's use of social media.