This document discusses two pillars of 21st century policing: technology and social media, and community policing and crime reduction. For pillar three, it recommends technology be implemented based on local needs and aligned with national standards. It also suggests using social media to engage the public by considering perspective, being clear and concise, using visuals, and listening and engaging. For pillar four, it emphasizes integrating community policing throughout police culture and using collaborative, multidisciplinary approaches to issues like crisis intervention. It also provides strategies for positive interactions between officers and youth.

1. 21st Century Policing:
Pillar Three - Technology and Social Media
Pillar Four - Community Policing and Crime
Reduction

2. Pillar Three: Technology and Social Media
“Technology Standards"
• Technology should be implemented based on local needs and
aligned with national standards
• The IACP Technology Policy Framework outlines nine universal
principles that guide technology policy in law enforcement
agencies
• Technology implementation and evaluation should include
officers from all levels, as well as community members.

3. Pillar Three: Technology and Social Media
“Using Technology to Engage”
• Tips for increased and improved engagement using social media
tools include:
• Consider perspective. How the public may perceive your messages? Also, share
content that may be interesting to your audience.
• Be clear and concise. Avoid jargon, legalese, and extensive commentary. Speaking
clearly and concisely will help your message be more clearly understood.
• Use visuals. Use photos, video, and images to create a visual experience and
amplify your message.
• Think mobile. Many individuals access social media and the Internet via mobile
devices. Consider how your content will look on these types of devices.
• Listen and engage. Social media provides agencies with the ability to dispel myths,
share back- ground information, and give new perspectives. That requires
engagement, listening to the conversations, answering questions, and responding
to comments.

4. Pillar Four: Community Policing and Crime Reduction
“Community Policing Integration”
• Commitment to community policing and engagement should be
infused and reinforced throughout the organization
• Culture is not an easy thing to change; each agency is unique
• Approaches to instilling community policing within a culture:
• Base hiring, evaluation, and promotional decisions on candidates’ capacity for
and experience in community engagement;
• Integrate community policing practices into training at all levels; and
• Evaluate patrol deployment processes to allow for community engagement
activities

5. Pillar Four: Community Policing and Crime Reduction
“Collaborative Approaches”
• Engage in multidisciplinary, community team approaches to crisis
situations.
• One example: use of Crisis Intervention Teams (CITs) when
responding to situations involving individuals with mental illness.
• Community policing emphasizes co-production of public safety –
working collaboratively with community members to identify and
solve problems

6. Pillar Four: Community Policing and Crime Reduction
“Youth”
• Law enforcement has many opportunities to engage with youth
• 10 strategies to improve officers’ interactions with youth.
1. Approach youth with a calm demeanor, conveying that you are there to help
them.
2. Establish rapport.
3. Be patient.
4. Model the respect you expect in return.
5. Use age-appropriate language.
6. Repeat or paraphrase their statements and affirm their emotions.
7. Take caution with nonverbal communication.
8. Model and praise calm confidence.
9. Empower them through choices.
10. Serve as a positive adult role model.

7. More Information and Resources
Visit the IACP’s Institute for Community-Police Relations
www.theiacp.org/icpr
icpr@theiacp.org