West Java Regional Police Public Relations Personnel’s adaptation to digital age communication

Abstract

The development of communication and information technology supports the use of various media to convey messages or information to the public. Therefore, the National Police of the Republic of Indonesia, as one of the largest institutions in Indonesia, is expected to be proactive in utilizing new media to utilize information. Various new policies will be implemented, including using the NCO as the spearhead of public communication in this digital era. However, these non-commissioned officers are uncomfortable sitting in their position as public relations officers who act as police communicators with digital technology that accompanies their work. This study explores the adaptation process carried out by young non-commissioned officers who manage police communications through social media and the obstacles they face in the adaptation process. To explore these activities, the researchers will use two theories: technological adaptation and the Social Construction of Technology. This research is a case study research with the descriptive data type. Data collection is based on interviews, observation, and also documentation. The results and discussion of this research show that public relations personnel at the West Java Police must adapt because they do not have a qualified educational background in public relations, especially communication in the digital era. SOPs and management for communication depend on what the leader is inclined to do. Public Relations personnel attended training from within the police organization. However, the training cannot improve their abilities in the short term. Ensuring that our Regional Police have SOPs in managing social media and conducting training could be the problem-solving needed.

Police as communicators to prevent the spread of the COVID-19

“…It is in line with the results of research conducted by Sani et al that the management of social media in the police force still follows the tastes of the personnel who man it and also follows the tastes and "requests" of superiors (Sani et al, 2022). explicitly explains that the direction in managing social media is a public need (Lutrell, 2015).…”

“…It is also supported by research conducted by Sani et al (Sani et al 2022), which shows the adaptation of the West Java Regional Police Public Relations Division in the face of changes in the digital era. This research shows that there are no guidelines for managing social media within the Public Relations Division of the West Java Regional Police, so social media management is still carried out according to the capabilities and experience of each personnel managing it.…”

“…Research conducted by Sani et al showed that social media managers in police public relations do not yet have the skills and skills with information and communication technology (Sani et al, 2022). Social media management is only done based on personal experience in managing social media.…”

“…They manage the social media of official institutions only based on their experience and references. (Randikalam, 2018;Sani et al, 2022). If it elaborated from the Mergel and Bretschneider model, then the experience and management activities that have been going on for a long time should have been compiled into an SOP.…”

The digital competence of government public relations officer in Magelang City

“…Besides, some public relations officers don't have any standard operational procedure for digital public relations activities. Some do communication management depending on what the leader is inclined to do (Sani et al, 2022). However, they are responsible to be a communication facilitator between government and the community by maximizing two-way communication and acting as a negotiator (Prastowo, 2020).…”