Impact and Potential of Social Media in Policing and Law Enforcement

Abstract

This article aimed to examine the many effects of social media on policing and law enforcement, focusing on the complex and contradictory relationship between social media and these institutions. It also investigated the ways in which social media has influenced operational strategies, communication methods, and public views within the realm of law enforcement and policing. The study adopted a secondary data approach utilising journals, articles and books relevant to the study. The research findings indicated that the relationship between law enforcement agencies and social media is complex and ever-changing as law enforcement has progressively incorporated social media into its operations, utilizing it as a means of gathering information and communicating with the public. It also revealed that police agencies consistently employ a data-driven approach, which facilitates the acquisition of information pertaining to risk, hence assisting in case resolutions and augmenting evidentiary support. Based on the findings, it was recommended that law enforcement agencies actively participate in social media training programs that focus on responsible and lawful utilization of social media platforms for police purposes to proactively establish a presence on social media platforms in order to cultivate trust and cultivate positive relationships within the community. This research contributes to the existing body of literature by investigating the level of user involvement with social media posts originating from a law enforcement agency.