The LAPD has launched a terrific department blog, and it’s well worth a look.
The reputation of the LAPD has taken a hit in years past and I’m confident that the blog will help them to clean up that reputation substansially. The LAPD Police Chief William Bratton has made amazing progress in improving the department and lowering crime in his 3.5 years with the department. (Bratton’s great auto-biography is a fun read – I found out about him through one of the stories in the Tipping Point and the Broken Window Theory) In one of his blog posts he nails it on head:
The continuing decline in crime in Los Angeles has positioned the LAPD at the tipping point for change. Our influence can positively affect the communities we serve and vastly improve levels of public satisfaction. But it is not enough for the LAPD to just continue to drive down crime. Through compassionate and constitutional community policing practices, we want to enhance the relationship between the Los Angeles residents and police.
Our ultimate goal is for the role of law enforcement officials to evolve from distance protectors and rapid responders to true partners and conduits for meaningful social change.
Quickly, here’s why I think the LAPD is off to a good start with their blog – their content is deep and geniune. With only a few entries, I clearly understand that there’s real people with real issues trying to do good.
(Full disclosure, I’ve been advising the project lead on blogging advice)
