Overview
In this assignment, you will explore technology and community relations. Relationship building and transparency are two major goals of law enforcement, and one means of achieving them is through the use of technology in the form of police department websites. You will analyze the effectiveness of two police department websites in achieving these goals in this activity.
Prompt
In this module, you have learned about technology and community relations. You will now apply this knowledge to analyze two examples of police department websites and their ability to foster transparency and community relations. First, you will examine your own or any major city’s police department website and describe the features or functionality that promote transparency or building community relationships. Next, you will explore a second city’s police department website to identify any major differences in that city’s approach to transparency or community building. Then, you will describe what you most appreciate from each city’s website.
Specifically, the following rubric criteria must be addressed:
Website 1: Describe the features or functionality of your first selected police department website that promote transparency and building community relationships. Provide the link to the site you are using. Justify your response to each of the questions below for the website:
Is it easy to find the website, and is the website easy to navigate?
Is it effective in communicating to the audience about the department?
Does the website promote in-person community building? If so, how?
Website 2: Describe the features or functionality of your second selected police department website that promote transparency and building community relationships. Provide the link to the site you are using. Justify your response to each of the questions below for the website:
Is it easy to find the website, and is the website easy to navigate?
Is it effective in communicating to the audience about the department?
Does the website promote in-person community building? If so, how?
Describe any major differences between your two selected police department websites.
Does one support transparency and community more than the other?
Describe which elements are most successful in promoting transparency or community building from each city’s website
Guide On Rating System
Vote
For Website 1, I have selected the New York City Police Department's website: www1.nyc.gov/site/nypd/index.page
1. Is it easy to find the website, and is the website easy to navigate?
The website is easy to find as it is the official website of the New York City Police Department and is linked on the City of New York's official website. The website is relatively easy to navigate with dropdown menus and a search bar available to quickly locate information.
2. Is it effective in communicating to the audience about the department?
Yes, the website is effective in communicating about the department. It provides comprehensive information about the various divisions, units, and services offered by the NYPD. It also includes news updates, press releases, videos, and crime statistics to keep the audience informed about the department's activities.
3. Does the website promote in-person community building? If so, how?
Yes, the website promotes in-person community building through its "Community Affairs Bureau" section. This section provides information about community events, programs, and initiatives that the NYPD is involved in. It also includes resources for starting a neighborhood watch, accessing crime prevention information, and connecting with local precincts. This encourages community members to actively engage with the department and participate in initiatives aimed at enhancing community safety.
For Website 2, I have selected the Los Angeles Police Department's website: www.lapdonline.org
1. Is it easy to find the website, and is the website easy to navigate?
The website is easy to find as it is one of the top results when searching for the Los Angeles Police Department website. The website is relatively easy to navigate with a simple menu structure and a search function available for quick access to specific information.
2. Is it effective in communicating to the audience about the department?
Yes, the website is effective in communicating about the department. It provides information about the organization's history, leadership, divisions, and services. It also includes news updates, press releases, and crime statistics to keep the audience informed about the department's activities.
3. Does the website promote in-person community building? If so, how?
Yes, the website promotes in-person community building through its "Community Relations" section. This section provides information about community programs, youth programs, and partnerships that the LAPD is involved in. It also includes resources for reporting crimes, finding local police stations, and connecting with community liaisons. This encourages community members to actively engage with the department and participate in initiatives aimed at building trust and collaboration between the police and the community.
Major differences between the two selected websites:
- The New York City Police Department's website has a more comprehensive and organized structure compared to the Los Angeles Police Department's website.
- The Los Angeles Police Department's website includes more youth-focused programs and initiatives compared to the New York City Police Department's website.
In terms of supporting transparency and community, both websites are effective in communicating about their respective departments and promoting community engagement. However, the New York City Police Department's website appears to be more successful in promoting transparency with its extensive information on various divisions, units, and services offered. On the other hand, the Los Angeles Police Department's website appears to have a stronger focus on community building, particularly with its youth programs and partnerships.
The elements most successful in promoting transparency from the New York City Police Department's website include the detailed information provided about the department's structure and services, as well as the availability of crime statistics and news updates. From the Los Angeles Police Department's website, the emphasis on community programs, partnerships, and resources for reporting crimes effectively promotes community building and engagement.