Social Media Employment in Policing: A Study from the Lens of Practice

Research objective: To explain how and for what purpose social media are used in policing under the lens of practice. Theoretical framework: The Structural Theory and the Actor-Network Theory were used as theoretical lenses to examine organizational processes and practices from a socio-technical view of the networks of connections undertaken by human and nonhuman actors. Methodology: An instrumental constructivist case study was carried out focusing on a specific issue in relation to the phenomenon rather than the case itself. The data were obtained through interviews, participant observation and documents. The analysis took place through narrative and coding with the aid of the Atlas TI software. Results: SM are used in policing as an open source of data. As for the purpose, they are used in institutional communication, to strengthen the image and in internal communication to streamline information flows. Also, to reduce information gaps by allowing immediate access to data. SM work as an amalgam, reducing geographical and hierarchical distances, contributing to the strengthening of the body spirit. Originality: Rather than starting the research assuming that MS are used to evolve and improve the relationship with the citizen in a given policing strategy, it is necessary to first understand how and for what SM are being used by police officers. Theoretical and practical contributions: A model of the use of SM in policing and the identification of interactivity and data availability are presented as the highlighted characteristics of this use. Also, subsidies for better instrumentalization of the use of SM by military police.