The Collier County Sheriff’s Office is continuing to draw attention for its social media endeavors.
CCSO will be featured in a Sheriff Magazine story about the benefits of law enforcement engaging the community through social media. Sheriff Magazine is the official magazine of the National Sheriffs’ Association. The publication focuses on best practices, procedures and research in law enforcement, corrections and court security. The story will also feature the social media efforts of the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office in Arizona and the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office in Colorado.
In addition, when the International Association of Chiefs of Police Center for Social Media conducted case studies of agencies that are embracing social media in the fall of 2010, CCSO was one of the law enforcement organizations selected to be profiled. The case studies were part of a project called “Web 2.0: Community Policing Online in the 21st Century.” The CCSO case study was also featured on the home page of the IACP Center for Social Media website from April 15-30.
“This type of technology is a great way for law enforcement to have a true and meaningful exchange of ideas and information with the community,” said Sheriff Kevin J. Rambosk. “We as an agency work hard to grow our social media platforms and it is gratifying that people are taking notice, both locally and around the nation.”
Lauri Stevens is founder and principal of LAwS Communications, a media consultancy for law enforcement. LAwS specializes in media management, with an emphasis on social media. Stevens is also the author of the Sheriff Magazine article that spotlights CCSO’s social media endeavors. She said CCSO is taking the right approach to social media.
“Sheriff Rambosk and his team have captured the true powers of social media to reach citizens and communicate all they do to protect and serve the citizens of the county,” she said. “On the flip side, they've also leveraged many avenues to give the citizens opportunity to get information to them, therefore truly embracing the community policing possibilities with social networking engagement opportunities. The people who live and work in Collier County are fortunate to be served by such a forward-thinking law enforcement agency.”
CCSO is always looking for new ways to use social media. An iPhone app currently in production will give users quick access to arrests, traffic information, crime maps, and more.
CCSO’s social media platform currently includes:
* A Facebook fan page that features a broad range of crime and safety news, including videos and information organized in easy to navigate sections. Separate areas are established for youth, cold cases, and photos. There’s even a place where visitors can submit a tip and help solve a crime. Another section of the fan page offers downloadable computer wallpaper images. The page can be found at www.facebook.com/colliersheriff.
* A Twitter account where followers can stay up-to-date on news, information and live traffic updates that could affect their commute.
* The Collier Star e-newsletter, which delivers agency news to subscribers’ e-mail in-boxes daily.
* The Internet site www.ccso.tv, which offers CCSO-produced safety and crime-prevention videos, profiles of cold cases and unedited footage of CCSO press conferences.
* “On Scene,” a monthly television show that provides an up-close look at CCSO, information on how to stay safe, information on wanted criminals and more. “On Scene” airs on the Collier County government television channel, the Collier County School District’s Education Channel and www.ccso.tv.
