Measuring Police Departments Implementation of Social Media as a Tool for Public Engagement

• In Event: Poster Session II

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to examine police department use of using social media as a tool to engage with community members. Currently, minimal research exists on how police departments are using social media as a form of public engagement and communication. Data will be collected from the top 200 police departments in the United States to determine how social media is being implemented in these departments. This study will also investigate the characteristics of police departments to predict how police departments are using social media. Results from this study may encourage police departments to expand their use of community policing, particularly in the area of social media.

Authors

• Chandlier Anne-Renee` Diven, Radford University

• Michael D. Bush, Northern Kentucky University

• Nicole Hendrix, Radford University