Technology Blog #1- Chapter 2 "Developing A Connected Learning Model" Connected Communities in Policing

     As a criminal justice major, I am aiming to be a police officer. Now although this job is very different from an educator such as in Chapter 2, it can apply the same values that can be applied to an educator in a connected learning community. For example a police officer can foster community engagement, professional development, and shared experiences or knowledge through these communities. Law enforcement agencies rely heavily on collaboration through multiple tasks or situations. You can build a network of connected officers to share information. You can break the mold off in person training and seminars to progress your own development. You can engage with the community through online forums and websites, instead of focusing on in person community policing to build relations. Also you can connect with other agencies and departments to share real time data and increase the effectiveness and speed of work. 

    As a police officer information is key and the most essential element to many aspects of the job. Normally most departments or agencies rely on face to face seminars, such as the one picture to the left, that are required by and set up by the agency. But if a few departments or officers got together and made an online forum or website to share this information between each other, it could not only help officers gain information to better deal with cases. it can also increase the officers professionalism. Continued learning is very important in policing, you never want to stop learning because it can help you do your job, help you get promoted, and help you solve cases. Also with an online forum new less experienced officer can reach out to more seasoned officers and gain knowledge and experience with how to hold themselves for deal with situations. It would be beneficial for officers to make connections across departments and agencies to better do their jobs. 

    Another way a connected community could help officers is sharing information and data. Already, agencies share data with themselves through their officers. But what if these agencies could connect with each other to share data. This is already done in some places, but is difficult to access without permission and forms. So if officers reach out to each other directly it would make this process smoother. therefore, making their job easier and helping solve problems faster. Lastly, departments can use connected spaces to reach the community. Community policing is used nationwide to build trust and relationships with civilians, but it is all done in person. So if agencies take advantage of this technological age they can better connect with the people they serve and protect.

This image is currently the in person aspect of community policing.