Regulation of Social Media Use
The current rise of social media has seen both positive and adverse impacts on organizations. For example, it enhances communication in firms. In the context of law enforcement agencies, it fosters the handling of crime matters. Besides, the transmission of information is also improved when information is conveyed via Facebook and Twitter (Information Management Journal, 2014). Most of the law enforcement organizations have a Facebook page that is primarily used for posting various events of the respective agency. Research shows that there is an increment in the misuse of social media. For instance, employees usually post confidential information on the social media sites that is not intended for public portrayal. Such an occasion increases the chances of misinterpreting organization’s information (IACP National Law Enforcement Policy Center, 2014). Other challenging areas include harassment of personnel as well as the use of disparaging statements targeting the agency and employees. Studies show that there is an increasing risk in many organizations due to the inability of having policies that separate the usage of social networks for organizational use as well as personal purposes. Just like the other firms, law enforcement organizations are also facing a similar challenge. Police officers are likely to leak sensitive as well as confidential information via the social media (Collom, 2012). Moreover, police officers have a tendency of posting agencies information in their private social networking accounts that violate the law enforcement agencies’ privacy policy. Following the increased rates of social media misuse, there is a need for developing a comprehensive plan for regulating police officers social media use. The strategy should be designed in such a way that it does not infringe the police officers’ constitutional rights. The policy should enhance the circulation of information within the agency such that the possibilities of leakages are eliminated. Similarly, it should clearly define the information to be disseminated to the public (IACP National Law Enforcement Policy Center, 2014). The paper will explore the responsible methods that police officers can employ regarding the use of social networking and thus develop a departmental policy relating to the usage of social media by the law enforcement officials.
Social Networks Risks
Posting information through the social media is likely to expose an agency to several risks. It is essential to understand these risks while developing the strategy. For instance, it can lead to a breach of confidence especially when a law enforcement officer posts information about the colleagues and, or police service on social networks. According to the Data Protection Act of 1998, the police officer is not required to reveal any unauthorized personal information that is not consented to disclosure (IACP National Law Enforcement Policy Center, 2014). In an event where the officer reveals such information, it is likely to pose a threat to the officer as well as the institution. Another risk likely to be encountered in the use of social media occurs when a police officer conveys discrediting information about the service or colleague. Such information creates a negative perception about the agency on the public who can lose their trust in the organization. Besides, it portrays the agency as malfunctioning that further adversely affects people’s confidence with the law enforcement agencies (Information Management Journal, 2014). Exposing operational constituents and the tactics is another risk that social networks pose to the institution. Upon seeing such information, criminals are likely to devise a plan to offset the investigations. The police officers have a tendency of revealing personal information that poses them the threat of harassment as well as blackmail (Collom, 2012). Law enforcement organization’s information needs to be secured both when the officer is online and offline. Posting information online guarantees its full disclosure to the public both when posted in a closed as well as an open group. Data posted on social networks has higher probabilities of going viral within a short span and thus reaching even those that the information was not targeting.
Regulations of Social Media Use
Law agencies have tremendously made efforts to control social media use. The measures are aimed at minimizing the adverse effects likely to occur because of posting information on social networks. The initial step of regulating social media usage involves training the police on the materials to post on social media for purposes of securing organizations’ data as well as safeguarding police officers. Most of the organizations have prohibited the use of social media during the execution of the assignments or working hours (IACP National Law Enforcement Policy Center, 2014). However, police officers wishing to access social networks are typically permitted to access them only on their personal cell phones on the official breaks. Police officials are not allowed to post pictures as well as videos relating to the agency on social media (Information Management Journal, 2014). Furthermore, they are not permitted to post any data that sounds as undermining clause of another police officer(s) as well as specific areas the police will be working at a particular time. Researchers such as Stacy Dillon criticizes law enforcement agencies involvement in social networks by ascertaining that it leads to unnecessary investigations that adversely affects the organization (Collom, 2012). Despite the existing initiatives, still more needs to be done. For instance, some police officers often use Facebook for criticizing and intimidating other police officers as well as the agency. Sometimes, they use social networks for purposes of threatening individuals who resist arrests. It implies that the efforts to counter social media misusage have not adequately contained its use that justifies the development of a comprehensive social media policy.
Police Agency’s Social Media Policy
Social media is a current trend that has been incorporated in the law enforcement organizations. It requires the agencies to come up with the best regulatory measures to curb the risks likely to occur. The strategy developed should regulate the information that the officers post on social media such that they do not post any data concerning the agency or its workers. Similarly, police officers should not provide any information regarding names, institution of affiliation, and other personal information on social networks. Concealing officer’s identity is crucial especially when carrying out investigations (Gelms, 2012). A comprehensive policy will contain the following information that will provide police officers with a guide on the manner in which they are supposed to use social networks.
Public Trust and Confidence
Law enforcement agencies can only function effectively by winning public confidence as well as trust. Maintenance of confidence can be accomplished through safeguarding the sources and identity of the information acquired from the third party. Such information should be kept private and should not appear on social networks. Police officers will be required to safeguard the data concerning employee and firms. The policy prohibits police officers from posting negating information about the agency and intimidating data of their workmates to maintain public trust. Through embracing the standard, law enforcement agencies will earn people’s confidence (Collom, 2012).
Safeguarding Personal Data
Police agencies usually encounter sensitive information concerning people during the investigation processes. Such confidential information entails person’s identity, sexual orientation, religion, and ethnicity among other data. The strategic plan will require police officers to safeguard personal information. Information considered private by respective owners should not appear on social networking sites (IACP National Law Enforcement Policy Center, 2014).
Enhancing Law Enforcement Agencies Reputation
Information updated on social media typically has a viral impact; implying that it is likely to reach many people in different locations within a few seconds. Any agency’s discrediting data is likely to reach many people and thus tainting its image on the public. On the other hand, motivational information boosts the reputation of the agency. The policy will require police officers to post only the information that enhances the reputation of the police organization. Besides, social networks will not be used for undermining or threatening the public. The policy should forbid the use of social networks for any information regarded as discrediting or discriminating (Gelms, 2012).
Prioritizing and Concealing Police Officer’s Private Life
Criminals can use information concerning a police officer posted on social media as a tool for embarrassing, corrupting, and harassing the police officer. These activities are mainly aimed at discouraging the officer from executing his or her assigned responsibilities. The policy will require officers not to update social media sites with their personal data, home location, and their families on the social media. Those who have accounts having such information will be required to remove it. Those who will have activated Google maps to show their location will be needed to deactivate the service. Furthermore, the officers will need to register for the elimination of unwanted calls from the social networks (IACP National Law Enforcement Policy Center, 2014).
Public Safety
All the activities that law enforcement agencies execute aim at securing the public. It implies that the organizations primarily aim at maintaining public safety. The organizational tactics need to remain within the Institute. The information concerning investigations and the prosecution of criminals should be kept a secret. Any move to disclose such information equips the offenders with sufficient insights on the best tactics to employ for purposes of countering the charges. Besides, it is against the constitutional rights of an individual, the right to fair trial. It is also a form of disrespect to the court. Public safety docket will also contain information regarding the usage of institutions materials as well as the tactics. Police agencies should not update their social media accounts with operational materials and tactics (Information Management Journal, 2014).
Switching-off Location-based Services
Through employing the above cautions in the policy, law enforcement officials will eradicate the risks associated with social media and thus improving the operationalizing of the law enforcement organizations.
References
Collom, L. (2012). When police officers use social media, their departments see risks. Retrieved
April 14, 2016, from http://archive.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/news/articles/20120301police-officers-social-media-use-departments-see-risks.html
Gelms, J. (2012). High-Tech Harassment: Employer Liability under Title VII for Employee
Social Media Misconduct. Washington Law Review, 87(1), 249-279.
IACP National Law Enforcement Policy Center. (2010). Social Media. 1-6.
Social Media Misconduct in the Office Is Rising. (2014). Information Management Journal,
48(4), 17.
