Sgt Tim Burrows (@T_Burrows) and Constable Scott Mills (@GraffitiBMXCop) have helped make the TPS a source of inspiration for many police services around the world. The service now offers formal training on social media to officers at its police college. The courses have met with great success and acclaim. This experience was carried to fruition through the support of Deputy Chief Peter Sloly (@DeputySloly on Twitter), himself a keen user of social networks.
Sgt Burrows really came to prominence as the driving force behind the TPS Traffic Services social media initiatives, particularly on Facebook and Twitter. This has become a model in terms of engagement with audiences by police on social networks. Tim now blogs as well.
He's sought after as a speaker and presenter. Here's a link to a recent presentation he gave to police chiefs in Vancouver. You can hear and see how Sgt Burrows looks at the use of social networks by police in this webcast interview.
Constable Mills has also made a significant impact in building relationships with audiences in many Toronto communities. Working with schools, Crime Stoppers and other organizations, Scott takes the concept of community policing into the age of social media. A brief piece on Scott below:
For all the reasons above, the social network accounts/blogs associated with Sgt Burrows, Constable Mills and the Toronto Police Service, collectively take the 12th spot on my list of the top 25 destinations for social media in emergency management.
I know I feel safer because of what they do!
The list so far:
#12: Sgt Tim Burrows, Constable Scott Mills and the Toronto Police Service
#13: the weekly #smemchat
#14: 999 Social Media
#15: Brian Humphrey ... a true pionneer
#16: ushahidi ... witnessing change and progress in SMEM
The Toronto Police Service (TPS) can count on not one, but two, internationally recognized pioneers in social media in law enforcement. how to deactivate Facebook account
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