Education of those within forces who fear their officers using SM is paramount. Trust is a key factor and all officers MUST understand the implications of what they post. The guidelines on the blog last year by Chief Constable Stuart Hyde are clear and practical.

We are often percieved as distant from the public. Perhaps aloof and unwilling to engage. This level of communication allows the public to see that officers are in fact human and facing the same life issues, pressures, worries and concerns as everyone else.

Digital and social media present challenges for all hierarchical organizations and the police service, and others, need to consider how this impacts on its business including it’s structures, staff and working culture.

For me the exercise that we ran with the five groups (including the unconference element)looking at the various themes presents interesting options for moving forward and it is something we would hope to run again.

Finally, I agree that credit should be given to the many early adopters (yourself included) who’s work has helped the police service move forward to meet these challenges. Long may this continue.

You might have more luck with that if your organisation didn’t immediately pounce on anyone inadvertently letting slip a politically sensitive bit of truth, such as the staffing levels in some areas .