Police preventive presence online.

• In Event: Social Media and Crime

Abstract

This presentation examines the Norwegian police's presence on the internet. The presentation takes a closer look at the open, uniformed presence in social media, and how it can prevent crime. This is done by assessing the work in relation to traditional preventive strategies. The presentation is the result of a literature study based on presentations and other literature on the topic, primarily concerning Nordic and British conditions.
Since 2015, there has been significant development in the Norwegian police's presence on social media. Today, there are online patrols in all police districts, based on the professional development from Kripos. The purpose of the police's presence on the internet is to prevent crime and create safety.
The police's preventive work on the internet is currently limited by regulations that are largely designed with the physical world in mind. There is a need for new and updated regulations that authorize necessary measures adapted to digital developments.
We argue that traditional preventive strategies can be used in the work of preventing crime through an online presence. Among the preventive strategies, we have shown that the community-oriented approach is closest to the working methods of today's online patrols. This largely involves a focus on presence, accessibility, relationship building, and cooperation with the public. Although technology has led to new forms of communities, this potential is not being fully utilized today. The traditional community-oriented mindset is almost directly transferred into the digital world, with too little focus on the potential of digital platforms.
Knowledge-based policing must underpin the presence on the internet. Technology has provided the police with new opportunities, but also different challenges than in traditional preventive police work. We have seen that geography, anonymity, and communication are challenges that have become relevant in the digital context.

Authors

• Kristin Maria Nøkleby Widerøe, Norwegian Police University College

• Inger Sofie Heieraas, Norwegian Police University College