Starting an official department blog can be intimidating, especially for those who don’t think of themselves as “writers.” As I wrote earlier, you should consider it another form of communication – talking to the public. But what do you actually write about? Some blogs, like the LAPD’s, take the concept of newspapers’ “Police Blotter” a…
Monthly Archives: March 2009
Social Media vs Employer
Wow! Imagine my surprise when I popped open my browser window to find this: Cop catches heat for profane blog entries Although Newport News doesn’t regulate the behavior of off-duty employees or what they write, individuals shouldn’t make reckless or malicious statements against city employees, according to the city’s existing policy. In addition, any conduct…
Twitter: Not If, but How
CNN.com recently reported on how police departments are using Twitter, while it garnered a mention on PoliceOne. Twitter is, without a doubt, a great tool. But don’t jump on it just because a lot of other departments are. Jump on it because it’s a powerful means of connecting—and don’t restrict yourself to just one use….
Crowdsourcing crime prevention
“Crowdsourcing” is one of those terms used by social-media insiders that, on its surface, doesn’t mean much to those of us just learning the ropes. When I began to see it repeated on Twitter and in blogs, I had to Google it. What I found: in short, if outsourcing hands off a project to a…