Embracing technology in policing
THE way people interact, be it at individual, interpersonal or organisational level is ever changing due to technological advancements.
While traditionally there were several communication that were useful, people have embraced technology and new ways of communicating that come with it.
The new channels are being used in the dissemination of crime tips.
In the Zimbabwe Republic Police, WhatsApp has been embraced as a new media that makes communication easier.
Emphasis of this community policing initiative is done through telling the public what can be reported to detectives on WhatsApp, the importance of the WhatsApp platform in the management of crime or in policing at large as well as WhatsApp’s bad practices.
It is imperative to define WhatsApp to the public so that they understand the platform better. Steele (2014) cited by Ali and Kootbodien (2017:12) define WhatsApp as: “A social media application which involves direct messaging as well as sharing media including voice messages, videos, and photos, among others”.
Kumar and Sharma (2017:1) buttressed that WhatsApp is a popular mobile application for providing instant messaging services on smartphones. It uses internet services to communicate different type of text and multimedia messages between users or groups.
WhatsApp uses data or WiFi to share any media content and it is considered moderately safe and secure. Members of the public can give crime tips of any offence, be it codified or statutory offences, via the application. Examples of codified offences are rape, murder, drug deals, fraud and corruption.
Examples of statutory crimes are harmful liquids, deals and illegal foreign currency deals, just to mention a few. Anyone suspected of committing a crime must be reported to the police, even through WhatsApp. Wanted persons whose whereabouts are established must also be reported to the police so that they are arrested.
WhatsApp is important in that it ensures instant messaging. This is important to the detectives in that they can react to a scene of crime quickly. That way, chances of arresting criminals in action are increased. Subsequently, the detection rate of crime also improves.
It also allows the people in far away places to easily share crime tips without having to visit the police station. In this way, they get to save their hard earned money while also assisting society to get rid of criminals.
Additionally, WhatsApp improves coordination between the police and the public.
The public is reminded that the security and confidentiality of anyone giving crime tips through WhatsApp is guaranteed.
However, WhatsApp does not substitute physical visits to the charge office, especially when it comes to assault. Anyone wronged is at liberty to visit any police station to report the matter. The platform should also not be abused. Members of the public should not circulate offensive and obscene content. It is an offence to do that and as such the public should desist from such practices.
Overall, detectives want to thank members of the public for supplying crucial information to them. Several suspects for drug dealing, unlawful entry into premises, and murder, among others, were arrested due to community assistance. Together we can eliminate crime and improve our social well-being.
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