This picture (below) is posted at the “You know you’re from Columbia if … ” facebook page. It is, in fact, a page from the “community policing” textbook. And the Columbia Police Department has posted more facebook posts in the past three days that for the previous 27 days of the month.

“Community policing is a philosophy that guides police management style and operational strategies. It emphasizes establishment of police-community partnerships and a problem-solving approach that is responsive to the needs of the community.

“One of the major objectives of community policing efforts is to establish an active partnership between the police and the community that can analyze problems and design and help implement solutions and services that are truly community-based. This requires the police to make a conscious effort to create an atmosphere in which community partners actively and willingly co-operate with the police.” – SOURCE: University of California at Irvine Police Department

Engaged law enforcement departments actively and consistently use social media to connect and communicate with its citizens. For instance, the East Lampeter Police Department posts regularly about finding a mission elderly man, crime incidents in the township and more.