Title
Consideration of Citizen Petition Related to the Police Department's Use of Social Media
Description
This report provides the City Council with information in response to a citizen petition submitted by Ms. Joanne Scott Woods at the Nov. 14, 2018, Formal City Council meeting regarding use of social media (Attachment A).
Report
Summary
The petitioner requests the City Council to consider using social media to provide information about the Phoenix Police Department’s community policing practices and relevant goals within the Strategic Plan.
The Police Department is committed to serving the needs of the community through the most effective means. The Public Affairs Bureau (PAB) is responsible for coordinating Department messaging, which includes managing multiple social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube. These platforms are utilized to communicate with residents and stakeholders about programs, services, policies and public events. The Police Department also shares information with residents through www.nextdoor.com. However, this is a private platform that requires participants to register and verify their address before access is granted. The information shared through this site is typically managed at the precinct level by Community Action Officers and Block Watch volunteers and mainly focuses on neighborhood safety issues.
PAB also manages phoenix.gov/police, where information regarding projects and services related to community policing is hosted. Information requested in the petition is available on the website and updates are made as needed. The Police Department also met with community members this year to obtain recommendations on improving the website and is determining next steps. Staff recently developed the Officer Involved Shooting Open Data Dashboard, which showcases information about critical incidents. This is available for public viewing at phoenixopendata.com.
The Police Department has a strategic communication plan which is governed by directives relevant to information sharing. Staff will continue to use all media resources with appropriate discretion.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Assistant City Manager Milton Dohoney, Jr. and the Police Department.