Cop Chat ep. 3

July 11th, 2012 #copchat ep. 3

Wednesday nights, 9pm Eastern

I’ve had a few really interesting conversations on Twitter during the last week that have led me to the topic for this week’s episode.

Authenticity

Big word, many meanings and very troubling execution.  There is a challenge for police and for the community is to be authentic in the space of social media.  Think about the meanings that can be applied to being authentic:

1. of undisputed origin or authorship; genuine: an authentic signature
2. accurate in representation of the facts; trustworthy; reliable: an authentic account
3. (of deed of other document) duly executed, any necessary legal formalities having been complied with

Now think about the challenges that are created.  Does an account that has no name, no personal picture and no contact information authentic?  On its face, not at all.  There is no real undisputed origin.

Police are often asked questions that they simply can’t give a full detailed response to for reasons of privacy, legislation or court proceedings.  When they say that they can’t answer the question or give what seems like a “corporate” response they can be accused of not being trustworthy, not giving all the facts or not being reliable.

Finally, how can there be any guarantee of full legal formalities being complied with? The public can say whatever they want with no real ramifications and the police can’t.  If the public doesn’t give a full account of events, no big deal and they certainly won’t be called out for being dishonest, but spin the tables and the case certainly won’t be the same.

So, on #copchat tomorrow night will talk about these issues and what can be done to understand the challenges and see where the questions and answers will lead us.

Hope to see you there!!