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SOCIAL MEDIA vs. LAW ENFORCEMENT

How Social Media Affects Law Enforcement

Shelli Young

August 16, 2017

Table of Contents

Introduction

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  • Introduction
  • Methodology
  • Results of Study
  • Discussion of Results
  • Conclusion/Recommendations

In the past decade since social media (SM) has made its mark it has created an online population of people of all ages. SM has created new and innovative ways to interact with the public as well as aid police investigations. But SM also poses a threat to individual officers and their department tactics. The effort towards our strategies to meet today's technological advancements are our best bet for the future of our criminal justice system.

Methodology

This study was conducted by extensive background research regarding the relationship between social media and law enforcement. I also reviewed several articles that reported on SM related police indiscretion.

Safety/Integrity Issues

Police Indiscretion

As officer discretion decreases, so does officer and departmental safety and security. "The private lives of police officers are becoming more public, posing risks to police integrity, effectiveness and reputational standing" (Goldsmith 249). Which means that officers and their departments must remain vigilant and educated on how to properly use these sites as they continue to advance.

Police indiscretion is one of the most dangerous challenges that SM poses to law enforcement. While law enforcement can use SM to their advantage, criminals have also found a way to capitalize on private information. For example, in 2011 an arrest led to the discovery of a CD containing info on over 30 officers and law enforcement employees. The scariest part being that all of the info on the CD was obtained through Facebook. (Stuart 2). Stuart exemplifies the unimaginable consequences that come with the use of SM.

Results of Study

Confidentiality Issues

This report uncovers several of the challenges SM brings to the criminal justice system such as:

  • Police indiscretion
  • Compromised police/public safety
  • Compromised confidentiality

With the proper education law enforcement can use SM to our advantage. But the future of criminal justice system relies on the adaptability of law enforcement and their tactics.

Adaptability

There are many types of confidentiality throughout the criminal justice system. From things kept between officers and the department, or officers and their private investigations. But it also applies to what officers post online because the privacy of any given officer is under threat once they post anything. SM, "brings with it new legal challenges, particularly with regard to the balance between crime control and the private interest of citizens" (Heath & Terry 5). When confidentiality is not kept safety and security are also under threat.

Officer adaptability to changes and technological advancements such as SM are of grave importance. Adaptability to change is a huge part of working in the criminal justice system and, "To function effectively organizations will need to adapt, train, and incorporate response to change" (Fortenbery 5). Even with adaptability there are unforeseen circumstances. Although with the proper training we can continue to use SM as a helpful tool.

Photos

Discussion of Results

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After reviewing the literature on this topic it is clear that social media creates new and unforeseen challenges for law enforcement. It is also evident that SM can benefit law enforcement when utilized properly. There are many factors to maintaining efficient policing tactics, and in order to decrease police indiscretion and increase officer and civilian safety, officer confidentiality needs to be upheld.

Unforeseen/Overlooked Circumstances

The impact SM has had on society and law enforcement as a whole is often overlooked. "It is suggested that there is currently insufficient appreciation of how SM is impacting upon policing and that, in contrast to the impacts of previous new technologies, SM has the potential to transform many policing practices..." (Goldsmith 249). This impact spreads from political, social and ethical boundaries, and can lead to certain chaos if not policed properly.

Conclusion/Recommendations

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Works Cited

This study clearly shows the challenges that SM poses to law enforcement. It is important to remember that there are many factors where access to SM has benefited law enforcement. However, the threats it poses are far more likely to negatively impact officers, departments, and their investigations.

  • Fortenbery, Jay. "Law Enforcement Organizations: Possibilities and Challenges for the Future." FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin, Feb. 2016, pp. 10-16. EBSCOhost, husson.idm.oclc.org/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=113090901&site=ehost-live.
  • Goldsmith, Andrew. "Disgracebook Policing: Social Media and the Rise of Police Indiscretion." Policing & Society, vol. 25, no. 3, May 2015, pp. 249-267. EBSCOhost, doi:10.1080/10439463.2013.864653.
  • Heath J., and Karen J. Terry. “Law Enforcement in the 21st Century.” Advances In Policing—New Technologies for Crime Analysis 13, 2005, pp. 324-47. https://www.pearsonhighered.com/assets/samplechapter/0/2/0/5/0205336337.pdf.
  • Stuart, Robert D. "Social Media: Establishing Criteria for Law Enforcement Use." FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin, vol. 82, no. 2, Feb. 2013, pp. 1-3. EBSCOhost, husson.idm.oclc.org/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=88000309&site=ehost-live.

Because technology is and always will be advancing, the most important policing strategies are the ability to shape, reform, and improve our tactics to meet today's advancements. Without the vigilance and education surrounding SM, society would be losing an effective strategy in modern day policing.

(Prezi does not have "hanging indent" for the sources, so I used bullets)

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