Social media and police: Potential for conflict and mistrust

The recent 'Twitter' debate between the Chief Constable of Essex Police in the UK and apparent members of that organisation, has once again focused many upon the use and impact of social media on Policing. It was reported by the BBC that the Chief Constable apologised for the poor parking of one of the force's police vehicles to the public on Twitter. In response, members of that force apparently berated the Chief Constable, questioning how he spent his working day, and his priorities. The important point about the Chief's Tweet however, was that he regretted that his officers had behaved in a manner that could cause the public to question their fairness and integrity. This incident, is therefore, useful for understanding how social media can in fact influence the public's perception of police.