Information Policy and Governance - Queensland - Assignment Example

Running Head: Information Policy and Governance Criminology Name Lecturer Date submitted Table of Contents Table of Contents 2 1.0 Introduction 3 1.1 Benefits and problems of social media for government based departments 4 1.1.1. Benefits of social media 4 1.1.2. Problems of social media 5 2.0 Proposed policy 5 2.1 Policy 6 3.0 Facebook 7 4.0 Why Queensland police department should use facebook 8 5.0 Pitfalls to using facebook 8 6.0 How to get followers 9 7.0 What should be on the net that will be able to drive up the interest of the public? 10 8.0 Conclusion 11 9.0 References 12 1.0 Introduction It is quite evidence that historically around the world, there have been few major shifts in the way people communicate to the society, today this shifts is occurring very fast due to the use of social media. Social media is everywhere and it is quite observable that everyone seems to be connected to at least one social media. With the ever growing trends been exhibited in the use of social media, police have realized the advantages linked to this kind of communication towards achieving a substantial community policing (Agranoff, 2007). Research indicate that social media is changing the way information is been passed by the police force all over the world. It is quite evident that the rapid growths of blogs, face book, twitter and various other social networking which are also highly aided by the use of mobile technology is changing police force operation in Australia. Today, social media is acting as a major tool that is constantly offering a new way for both citizens and police forces to pass information across. For instance, Queensland is usually considered as a battered state which has been smashed, hammered and flooded especially in recent times. The use of social media was exhibited during the crisis that involves a cyclone, the government through the use of police force effectively used social media to pass on information to the affected people (Agranoff, 2007). As part of avoiding misinformation about the cyclone, police stepped forward to manage social media. It is due to this reason that this paper will focus on developing a policy that indicates how social media might be used by police forces as an innovative measure in achieving proper communication. 1.1 Benefits and problems of social media for government based departments As time goes by, it is quite evidence that most governments are gradually using social media tools for communication purposes. In order to fully understand the benefits and problem of using social media, it is important we understand what social media is (Bingham & Nabatchi, 2005). Social media is defined as the use of internet based tool so as to interact with several individuals. Some of the common social media tools been used across the world are face book, twitter, MySpace, blogs and YouTube. 1.1.1. Benefits of social media It is quite evidence that the huge growth in social media is taking place since it comprises a set of tools that fuels social communication. It is through the use of this tool, government departments are able to use human network more easily, expects interactive communication as opposed to broadcasted communication, it gives them the power not only by use of text but also audio and video and finally, it is able to rely on various measures and objectives which highly facilitates communication. Social media in government institutions is considered as powerful since it widely supports two way interactive communications. Today, people want easy aces to information where they are able to obtain instant feedback (Bingham & Nabatchi, 2005). Another major benefit of social media by government departments is minimal cost is incurred as opposed to use of broadcast information. The government is able to channel the cost it would have rather used in communicating to other key economic areas. Other key notable benefits of social media are; democratization of media, increased transparency in organizations and government operations, sharing and connection within communities and finally remix and creativity among different cultures. 1.1.2. Problems of social media Due to increased new technology, greater use of social media is causing alarm to various governments departmental. Current lack of filters have given rise to misinformation linking the government and its citizens this have ultimately resulted to increased content being overlooked thus problem in finding which is the best content (Bingham & Nabatchi, 2005). Within social media, there has been a growing trend of anonymity which has constantly resulted to polarization and hate as it has been witnessed in Egypt. Further, there have been great overload in both social networking and information thus creating a work and life balance that is hard to achieve. 2.0 Proposed policy For the Queensland government to endorse a secure usage of social media so as to enhance exchange in information, communication and collaboration among its people it is very essential for it to develop a strategic policy. This policy will be designed in such a way that it will establish the government of Australia a position whereby it will define management and utility of social media. The policy will be designed in such a way that it will not only address one type of social media but rather the whole social media in general (Landsbergen, 2010). 2.1 Policy Evidently, social media provide a potential and new valuable means of assisting the Queensland police force in community outreach, crime prevention, investigation, problem solving and various other related objectives. This proposed policy clearly tries to identify various potential uses that are more likely to be explored or further expanded upon as deemed which is termed as reasonable by various government administrative units (Landsbergen, 2009). It is evident that use of social media defines a bearing on various governments departmental so it is due to this reason that this policy will provide precautionary use of social media. The following will constitute this policy; Determination of a strategy where; Each social media page is expected to include an introductory statement which specifies the scope and purpose of the police force agency’s presence on the website (Landsbergen, 2009). The designed pages should link to all police force official website The use of police force and government units’ computers by departmental staffs is restricted without any authorization (Landsbergen, 2010). Social media web pages should indicate that they are maintained by that predesigned governmental institution and that specific department will be responsible for all information displayed. All social media pages contents should adhere to all designated applicable laws, policies and regulation which are usually included in both management records policies and information technology (Landsbergen, 2009). All governmental employees should observe and abide by all service mark, trademark and copyright in posting materials to electronic media webpage. Police force departmental sanctions representing government agencies via social media outlets are expected to Conduct themselves in such a manner that they will highly adhere to departmental standards and observe all protocols and best decorum. Not to post any information that may cause alarm to citizens nor any kind of confidential information related to departmental operation and activities without any kind of authorization. The predesigned social media pages should not be used for any kind of political activity or any other private activity that may cause alarm to citizens. It is the duty of all employees to make effort in order to be able to validate internet based information across government departments (Landsbergen, 2009). 3.0 Facebook This is a real time socially utilized tool for networking that is normally used to send and read short messages. The messages comprise of up to 140 characters which can range from pointless inane to breaking news messages of major world events like an earthquake, floods and war. This is aimed at reaching out to individuals to get messages or alerts in a more timely and speedy basis. These messages are able to be reflected to as many people as possible at the same time thus being able to save time and increase the possibility of responding to an emergency at a faster rate. It by far the largest accessed social media tool in the compared to the other social networks that exist. The site is a good point that any police force would prefer to start as much of the needed information can be easily uploaded on the link (Vallez, 2011). 4.0 Why Queensland police department should use facebook The social media is being utilized by most of the population as a conversation tool and a means to passing out information to a larger group of people at short intervals. It is easy as the groups normally use a language that is normally understood by them and the message is only written once but read by many people at the same time for as long as they are logged on to the site. The site can be used by the Queensland Police Department as it is able to help them engage with a wider audience through the logged on followers. In the recently launched site by the Lincolnshire Police Department, the site was able to receive more than 500 followers in less than one month. The site can be used to engage people in local issues which later form conversations which are aimed at raising the level of awareness on issues in the locality. The conversations are not any different from having the conversations on the streets but can be more intensive as the people will be able to open up to an issue and offer varied ideas on an issue. At times, wrong information that might be suspicious can be uploaded on to a person’s link (Vallez, 2011). 5.0 Pitfalls to using facebook Many items that are posted on the internet are hard to be erased and the comments can be copied very rapidly by a wider community audience. This could put a risk to the persons posting the comments on the net as they could be tracked by the law offenders and could possibly be killed or made not to relay any other useful comments on the crime. The police have to be good in conversation so as to be able to engage a wider community audience in to natural debatable conversations aimed at identifying and getting reliable knowledge. The location of the sender or the crime may be difficult to be identified as the language and the audience who might be members of the site may give misleading information or might not be from the state or country but might have just joined the site for fun. In addition, most of the names and pictures that are uploaded on the net are not real as they mostly hide their identity in most cases (Partridge, 2011). 6.0 How to get followers The best way to measure the effectiveness of the tool is by the number of the followers that the site has. There are a variety of ways through which the Queensland police department can use to increase the number of followers on the social site. These include: The department should not use the crime prevention visits to show followers or people on how to best use the site. It should rather be used to link the audience to the profile. Use normal promotional materials that are used in the community and neighborhood to be able to publicize the page. This could be the use of posters, post cards and banners that will be able to point out to people that they can access the departments information on facebook. The department should have an objective to providing the most useful information in an attractive way. Most of the information put on the site should be able to relate to the policing issues and other relevant information. Have a conversational site by asking questions and being prompt to answering questions that are raised by others. This should be able to guide people to have conversations on policy issues that affect them. The department should ask people to follow them on their link. The department should be personal through the inclusion of photos and bios on the site. The manager of the site should be a good listener and be able to gauge the mood and answers that the followers are looking for. The language used in the site should be friendly and correspond with the followers but always keep the professional tone. The site mangers have to be patient as it takes a significantly long period of time to have followers on the page (Partridge, 2011). 7.0 What should be on the net that will be able to drive up the interest of the public? The web page should be regularly be updated with relevant information. This includes the timely response to questions and concerns that are uploaded on the page. The page should be clear and provide successful stories through links. The site should be able to build the interest of the audience by skillfully uploading inquisitive questions that would prompt a discussion without crating room for possible implications. The site should also have a storage facility where the audience would reflect back and give allocations to pre-modify the questions. Provisions of in depth videos and links portraying the commitment of the force in performing their duties are a great step in involving the audience as they are able to see the fruits of their efforts. Offer uploads on appeals of missing or wanted persons and be quick to offer information on the progress. This should also offer chances for the public to be able to comment on the policy issues and possibly propose or vote on an issue at hand. Lastly the site should give regular postings on engagements and events and allow the audience to comment on them. This should include promotion of the police events in the locality. These may include: the targeted patrols, community meetings and events aimed at the reduction of crime (Partridge, 2011). However, it is important to note that there are instances where the department could make a mistake in the event of using the social media site. In case of such an eventuality, it will be appropriate for the department to offer an apology as it will go a long way into diffusing the awkward situation. Secondly the department should offer amendments by placing the right information next to it. The department should not delete the already existing information (Glover, 2011). 8.0 Conclusion In conclusion the adoption of the social network is of great importance for the Queensland police department in the involvement of the society and community in the execution of their duties. There are larger more advantages of the use of the social media which outweigh the disadvantages. Facebook is a widely used social site that is easily accessed and used thus the department through its use are able to reach a far wider community audience than any other communication medium at an instant. 9.0 References Agranoff, R. (2007). Managing within networks: Adding value to public organizations, Washington, D.C.: Georgetown University Press. Bingham, L. & Nabatchi, T. (2005). 'Legal frameworks for the new governance: Processes for citizen participation in the work of government', National Civic Review, vol. 94, pp. 54-61. Landsbergen, D. (2009). 'Social media prototype evaluation: Policy, strategy, and best practices for the City of Columbus', Columbus, Ohio: John Glenn School of Public Affairs, The Ohio State University. Partridge, J. (2011). Social media handbook for police: Part 1: Accessed on the 23rd of May 2011 from http://connectedcops.net Glover, K. (2011). Facebook patrol: The social police beat: Accessed on the 23rd May 2011from http://www.thecrimereport.org/archive/2011-05-facebook-patrol-the-social-police-beat. Vallez, M. (2011). Describe your App before others do! Accessed on the 23rd of May 2011 from http://michaelvallez.com/ Read More