If you follow ArchiveSocial, you probably know that we like to highlight law enforcement agencies that are doing great things on social media. So, we’ve decided to make a blog series out of it.
For our first Props to the Cops* post, we’re taking a look at Lino Lakes Police Department in Minnesota.
Why we’re giving props to Lino Lakes PD
To put it simply, Lino Lakes Police Department knows how to use Twitter and Facebook.
“We’re going to be silly on our facebook and twitter,” said Captain Kelly McCarthy in an interview with a local news outlet. “That’s the place for it.”
And silly they are. Check out this recent post on the department’s facebook page:
Captain McCarthy hopes that by sharing funny (and perhaps even snarky) content along side the more traditional informational posts, residents will relate to officers as individuals, making them more likely to report crime and suspicious activity.
The bottom line
While many government agencies still use social media as a way to broadcast information, it can — and should — be so much more than that. It’s about a two-way conversation between the government and its citizens. Lino Lakes PD clearly understands social media’s value as a citizen engagement tool. And when they post to their facebook page, the residents of this Minnesota town respond.
*we’re still trying to come up with a witty title for a series on fire departments. Suggestions are welcome.
