Police Communications and Legitimacy: A Content Evaluation of Police Department Websites

• In Event: Technology and Policing

Abstract

A police department’s website facilitates the collection and dissemination of information about police activity, crime, and community events. These websites support and enhance communication efforts between departments and the communities they serve. While having a website is common practice, little is known about the consistency of content across agency websites and indications of police legitimacy and transparency. Owing to organizational differences, varied communication strategies, and autonomy over electronic resources, the objectives and usefulness of website communication may vary greatly. As police departments rely on this communication medium more and more, it is timely to evaluate content of police websites. To that end, the current study uses content analysis to assess the websites of a random sample of 100 large police agency websites.

Authors

• Jessica Herbert, Arizona State University

• Richard K. Moule, Jr., University of South Florida

• Megan M. Parry, Arizona State University