ABSTRACT
Prevalence of Facebook and Social Media ...................................................... 263 Use of Facebook and Social Media ................................................................... 264 Facebook and Social Media Considerations ................................................... 266 Methodology ....................................................................................................... 269 Sample .................................................................................................................. 269 Coding and Measurement ................................................................................. 269
Department Facebook Page Characteristics .............................................. 270 Department Post Characteristics ................................................................. 270 Community Post Characteristics ................................................................. 270 Replies and Comments Characteristics to Posts ....................................... 271
Results .................................................................................................................. 272 Social Media Presence ....................................................................................... 272 Department Social Media Activity Characteristics ....................................... 273 Police Department Posts ................................................................................... 277 Community Posts ............................................................................................... 279 Community Comments to Department Posts................................................ 279 Discussion ........................................................................................................... 280 Conclusions ......................................................................................................... 284 References ............................................................................................................ 284
The advent of the police car and two-way radio are arguably two of the most innovative technologies that effectively removed the police officer from direct contact with the community (Wilson & Kelling, 1982). No longer were officers “walking the beat” and interacting with local citizens as they stroll down the street. Ironically, with new technologies such as smartphones, iPads, and tablets, technology has the potential to provide a new, interactive avenue for police officers to reconnect with the community. The “face” of policing is now just a click away from any citizen with Wi-Fi and Internet access.
