TikTok’s the ticket for this cop
Police constable has amassed more than 180,000 followers on online video platform
For decades, police departments all over have made efforts to show the general public a friendly face. This type of community police work has evolved into regular appearances at auto shows, home shows, and other similar events. The arrival of COVID-19 changed all that. No longer were there opportunities to go out and meet the public face to face.
Like many other organizations, the Toronto Police Service needed to find a new way to do certain parts of their work. How does a police force reach out to the public during a pandemic? Almost accidentally, they found their solution in the form of Const. Sean Shapiro.
An admitted tech nerd, Shapiro is also a lifelong motorcycle enthusiast. Like many two-wheeled enthusiasts of a certain age, PC Shapiro came by his love of motorcycles thanks to a childhood toy and watching the show “CHIPS,” about the adventures of a pair of California Highway Patrol officers who rode motorcycles.
As a 16-year-old, Shapiro graduated from a push bike to a Honda Hawk 400, bought in a partnership with a buddy, despite the concerns of his mom. Next up came a Kawasaki GPZ 550, and then an even more powerful Yamaha 11 Special. From there, Shapiro returned to Kawasaki in the form of a Vulcan 1500 D2, suitable for his six-footfive frame, before acquiring the Honda Valkyrie Interstate that he now owns.
As often happens to even the best of riders, bad luck caught up with Shapiro as he was returning to the station near the end of his shift. As the officer slowed to move into the left turn lane, a Lexus appeared from behind a parked panel van. Although it was low-speed crash, the injuries put Shapiro on the sidelines for some time and are still a source of pain several years later.
In his previous career, Shapiro worked with computers, web design and photography. He used that skill set upon his return to work, helping redesign the force’s website. That role evolved into a plan to increase Toronto Police’s presence online, with Shapiro as the man behind the camera. The problem was that nobody else on the force had any interest in being on camera.
One day, while on the scene of an accident, the sergeant in charge of media suggested that maybe Shapiro should have a go at giving the report.
When a trio posted a video of themselves skateboarding on the Gardiner Expressway in spring 2020. Shapiro immediately set up an account, @TrafficServices, in order to monitor the situation and be able to make comments.
Shapiro had videos on hand for the Arrive Alive program, which featured officers answering questions about impaired driving. He decided to post them to the account and see what happened. The response was instant and before long the police service was creating content specifically for TikTok.
Soon after, Shapiro decided to go live and it took off from there. At the time of writing, @TrafficServices has 181.2K followers.
The popularity of the TikTok account has turned Shapiro into somewhat of a celebrity in the real
world as well. He expected that fellow police officers might recognize him at training events, but the reaction from the public has been a huge surprise. From the steak house owner in London, Ont., who excitedly explained how much his wife loves Shapiro, to the gaggle of kids in a park who recognized “that guy from TikTok.”
Not only is @TrafficServices changing the public face of policing in Toronto, but it is changing the way that police investigate crimes. Non-traffic police officers often reach out to Shapiro to see how they can best handle unusual situations. The account has become a reference library for civilians and police alike.
That is not to say that the program is without detractors. There are those who have complained that paying a cop to be on TikTok is a waste of taxpayer money.
Shapiro points out that “we are doing this and it is the most efficient way of doing this and people apparently like it.”
Despite still navigating the residual effects of that motorcycle crash a few years ago, the future is exciting for PC Shapiro, as he continues to explore the possibilities that TikTok provides for modern policing. Still passionate about motorcycles, Shapiro has not been back on a motorcycle since his crash, although his Valkyrie remains licensed, insured and ready for the day that he decides that the time has come.