The Use of Social Media in Policing: How Both Specialists and Generalists are Adopting It

• In Event: Social Media, Policing, Research, and Hactivism

Abstract

Social media is a new tool that can be useful for police organizations, as researchers in both North America and Europe have reported (Denef, Kaptein & Bayerl, 2011; Altunbas, 2014; IACP 2013). Previous research has focused mainly on the use of social media in specialized police operations and has failed to provide a description of how it is used by other police. The aim of the present research is to explore how this new technology is used throughout Quebec police organizations. The concept of the multi-dimensionality of policing proposed by Brodeur (2010) and the theory of diffusion of innovation developed by Rogers (2010) are presented. Data from a survey of police officers’ use of social media (n=200) allows comparison of its use by patrol officers, investigators, and analysts. The factors that influence the rate at which this technology is adopted are also discussed. Results show that social media is not adopted only by specialists and suggests that use and factors involved in the rate of adoption vary between the different groups of actors.

Authors

• Julie Delle Donne, Universite de Montreal

• Francis Fortin, Université de Montréal