Dallas Police using social media

All in all I'm a bit late to social media. I was impressed by how the Democrats used it in 2006 and 2008 (and thankfully the Republicans got their heads out of their asses for 2010, but that's another issue for another day). I remember how US Central Command soldiers used Instant Messaging during the Iraq War for quick processing of data. Here is an excellent use of new technology...an updated version of city's most wanted list and a daily press briefing.

Dallas Police Hire Social Media Officer

DALLAS - A Dallas police officer is connecting with the public in a way no other officer has done before.

Sr. Cpl. Melinda Gutierrez no longer works the streets. She works the computer as the Dallas Police Department’s new social media officer.

The department recently created a Facebook account that now has more than 5,300 fans and a Twitter account with more than 3,400 followers.

“Reach out to those people and a medium to get messages whether alerts or general information on a quick and timely basis,” said Lt. Ches Williams.

When robbery detectives need help finding a suspect, Gutierrez puts surveillance video on YouTube...

...At a time when the city is cutting back positions, the department thought this position was needed to maintain control over the information being released...

...Department brass said though its one less officer on the street, its one officer who can connect with thousands of people at the same time.

“Through the Facebook connection we're also going to allow rapid contact with us as well. This gives the public a chance to have greater access to us,” Williams said.

A policy has been put together with regards to social media postings, but it will likely change as the technology does too.

Recently I added a disclaimer at the bottom of my blog because my department is getting really picky on use of social media. It didn’t help that we’ve had cops put sensitive information on the web. Sometimes we are our worse enemy. Well this is an example of how to use technology for law enforcement in a more positive mode.

The full article is below.

Dallas Police Hire Social Media Officer: MyFoxDFW.com