Course Overview

This course of instruction covers the essentials patrol officers, investigators, probation officers, SRO's, and anyone in the criminal justice system needs to know about Social Networking, whether they use it or not. Various types of crime are rooted in social networking activity. Drugs, scams, identity theft, flash mobs, sexting, sextortion, cyberbullying, even school shootings can be attributed to social media. This course of instruction will break down the elements of social networking, examine what information is collected, and demonstrate what a great investigative/intelligence tool it can be. Information regarding investigative leads, relationships, communications, photographs, location, etc. is all available and many times an open-source. In addition, an officer will learn the proper methods of authenticating the information they collect.

However, social networking has also created a number of problems for law enforcement, especially in matters of safety for both officers and their families. Social media sites exist where officer and informant information is posted. Criminal organizations are collecting photos and biomaterials of officers and sharing that information via social media. This class will delineate steps officers must take to safeguard their information while utilizing social media for investigative work as well as in their personal lives.