Social media has impacted almost every industry over the
past decade and the criminal justice field is no exception. In recent years,
we’ve seen a rather swift adoption of social media networks by law enforcement,
changing the face of how our police and investigators pursue criminals and
interact with their communities.
According to some sources, in up to 80% of cases, social
media is referenced to build a case or conduct an investigation. That is
absolutely staggering when you consider that mere years ago, that number was at
zero. Let’s explore how social media is impacting law enforcement, criminal
investigation, community interaction, and criminal justice as a discipline.
Crime &
Investigations
When it comes to investigating crime, social media has become
a critical component. Authorities are posting crime scene photos and
surveillance footage on police department Facebook pages, Twitter streams, and
YouTube channels, getting the word out about recent crimes and open cases.
Not only are police departments publishing content to help
apprehend criminals, but they are also acquiring subpoenas that allow them to
go through private messages for investigative purposes.
In some cases, by gaining access to suspects’ social media
accounts, investigators are better able to build and make a case. It’s not
uncommon for such private messages to include damning correspondence that
directly links the suspect to the crime, like this reopened
case from a Virginia court in 2012.
Community Outreach
Social media as a part of community building and outreach
strategy can also be extremely effective for law enforcement agencies. The Philadelphia Police Force
maintains one of the largest active communities on Facebook, and posts
everything from surveillance footage to officer spotlights to even important
emergency advisories, such as inclement weather and utility outages.
By providing the community with valuable content about their
city, town, or jurisdiction, law enforcement is able to build on consistent
engagement with those they protect and serve. Through consistency and strategic
messaging, they are essentially able to transform their communities into
extensions of their criminal justice systems; their virtual eyes and ears
across Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and other social media networks.
At Peirce, we make it a point to stay up-to-date with the
trends and technologies impacting the current criminal justice landscape. This
currency and relevancy is incorporated throughout the program to prepare
students to graduate with the skills needed to excel in this constantly
evolving field. To learn more about the Peirce Criminal Justice program, visit
the Peirce
Legal Studies page or contact admissions by email
or at 215-670-9214
