The role of Social Media in Protest Policing

This briefing paper is intended to provide some insights into the threats and opportunities relating to the role of social media tools in the policing of protests. It was originally prepared in February 2011 for the ACPO meeting considering current activity around student protests. It was published here on Friday 25 March 2011 ahead of the #march26 events.

Our view of the role of Social Media in Protest Policing

The largest demonstration of recent times took place recently in London. For the first time the @co11metpolice Twitter real time social information network account was engaged during the event, along with other technologies for communicating with those present.

@co11metpolice still needs to develop a tone of voice, and become an accepted authority on the social network. We have learned that this happens through natural nomination. You can't just push things or bark at people. It is all about engagement. Unfortunately they seem to have shut up shop for now...

We did offer a little advice to the @co11metpolice team, ahead of time:

• To update the profile text to NOT say 'Please note we cannot respond via Twitter'
• In the run up to the day, i.e from now, to be tweeting, on the 'hashtag' for the event itself, to introduce yourselves, and make it clear that this is an official channel by which you will be explaining what you are doing and what is expected of the attendees.
• During the event to be replying to people who are engaging via this Twitter account, to keep the dialogue personal and informative, even in respect of negative comments.

They did the first two, and during the event the twitter account was active, although really only outbound. (It only follows four people).