Live Twitcam from @KerryBlakeman and @NECov_Police discussing the Week's Policing from Coventry

Here is the show to watch again from CI Kerry Blakeman and Insp Jo Floyd. The program lasted for one hour, discusses recent crime stories, viewer questions and ways to use social media like twitter in policing.

This follows a public meeting in Cheylesmore last night (Thursday, 11 August) where Insp Alastair Orencas updated local residents on recent events (CI Kerry Blakeman was also at that meeting along with three other officers).

West Midlands Police and Fire present #covcam videos from Wed 25 May

There is no doubt that West Midlands Police and Fire lead the field of Social Media. But, don't take my word for it, see for yourselves in these two examples. Look out for a taser, breathing apparatus and a new fire officer's uniform (including that space age helmet in Part 02).

Chief Inspector Kerry Blakeman and Fire Commander Simon Shilton are once again doing their best to ensure every angle is covered in their commitment to engage with the community.  Following this broadcast, tests are in progress to ensure members of the public receive an enhanced viewing experience very soon.

#covcam by @kerryblakeman Police and @spshilton Fire Part 01 and Part 02

Live TwitCam from West Midlands Police and Fire - Wed 25 May at 7pm

Quinton Parade, Cheylesmore

Following the successful Twitcam in Earlsdon on 22 March, Chief Inspector Kerry Blakeman and Fire Commander Simon Shilton will broadcast a live video Meet and Tweet from Cheylesmore, hashtag: #CovCam. 

The event starts at 7pm at Quinton Parade, Daventry Road, Cheylesmore, Coventry, CV3 5HD and lasts for one hour. Online viewers may come from the USA, Canada and Scotland - so it's not just the Coventry people that tune in (see  SMILE Conference from Chicago)

The SMILE Conference 2011 from Chicago - watch it here on Livestream

UPDATE: DCC Gordon Scobbie keynote will be streamed live at 10.00pm UK time - tune in at ten

The Social Media in Law Enforcement Conference 2011 starts today in Chicago. Tune in from 3.25pm today (that's 9.25am in the USA). Not all sessions are Livestreamed, but this post will test the technology and share what's going on. DCC Gordon Scobbie is presenting today's Keynote address.

The Evolving Use of Social Media in UK Policing: From Zero to Hero? by Gordon Scobbie, Deputy Chief Constable, Tayside Police, Scotland. UK policing has been on a journey in terms of social media and the use of the web 2.0, from a standing start to widespread but uncoordinated use within policing.  DCC Scobbie will chart how the use of technology has challenged existing ways of working, both internally and externally, and how we might further exploit the use of technology as budgets and forces shrink in size and we need to think differently about how certain services can be delivered in the future.

And in case you are thinking, What has this got to do with Kenilworth and Warwickshire? The answer is everything. In my next post, you will hear from two senior Warwickshire Police Officers on launching the New Policing Model for Warwickshire that starts today.

Archived and ready to view:

Deputy Chief Gordon Scobbie @DCCTayside #SmileCon Chicago

I am the Chief Constable and if you want to go on Twitter - go on Twitter

DCC Gordon Scobbie in Chicago

We all know the Warwickshire Police Chief Constable has not said that (yet), but if it was good enough for the Prime Minister to tell the public to ignore council pen-pushers and go ahead and hold a Royal Wedding Street Party, then I am sure the same applies for a Chief Constable and Social Media.

In a week that has seen me organise Police Blogs for Deputy Chief Constable Stuart Hyde in Cumbria, Chief Inspector Kerry Blakeman in Coventry and Inspector Keith Portman in Meriden, I am all out of arguments for Warwickshire. 

NPIA Social Media Assistance

Perhaps I can let ACPO lead Gordon Scobbie and his team talk for me in their publication Engage: Digital and Social Media Engagement for the Police Service. These twenty two pages are packed with great advice and case studies. 

I am delighted to announce that the West Midlands Police Twitcam we made on 22 March 2011 is now popular with Law Enforcement in the USA thanks to Lauri Stevens (@lawscomm). This has not come at a better time as the Social Media in Law Enforcement Conference 2011 in Chicago kicks off on Monday 9 May 2011.

On that same day (9 May 2011), Warwickshire will introduce a New Policing Model. There is no mention of Social Media, Twitter or any digital technologies in the press release statement. It is said how officers will be visible and based within the community they serve (more on that later).

I have finally received an email from Oliver Winters, Chief Executive of the Warwickshire Police Authority who tells me, 'The Police Authority and Police Force are two separate entities...so issues regarding how the SNTs carry out operational activities is a matter for the Police Force rather than the Police Authority. While I know that the Police Force are aware of your communications it is for them decide how and when to respond.'

So, my next step is to contact Warwickshire Police (again), but this time asking for a statement from Neil Brunton, Assistant Chief Constable, or Operations Directorate and Superintendent Martin McNevin. Unless of course, those immortal words, I am the Chief Constable and if you want to go on Twitter - go on Twitter are whispered from the top. 

Insightful Twitter use from West Midlands Police - All in a day's work..

Kerry Blakeman is on the right

Kerry Blakeman is the Chief Inspector of West Midlands Police responsible for 18 dedicated neighbourhood teams and five response teams at the Coventry (LPU).

Tweets from Kerry show a diverse range. They show how influential a Chief Inspector can be with twitter.

Kerry's already a contributor to whatsiKenilworth where WM Police have been using Twitcam to engage with communities as well as Audioboo and the BBC. 

A great example of Kerry reaching parts that other tweeters cannot reach is this: @WMP_Helicopter if any of you guys have a smart phone any chance of pics from the sky? But not from the pilot! (24 April, 6.31pm). 

A few hours later from the clouds: Front seat observer: A number of responsibilities including navigation and camera operation. http://twitpic.com/4p2qah (24 April, 9.06pm).

Then: @WMP_Helicopter superb pic - great to see, I look forward to seeing some scenic views of the West Midlands from the air also (9.13pm). This was also linked with Wolverhampton from the air.

A Chief Inspector can tweet about well deserved news as well: Len Dacombe who served in the Blitz as a Special receives a certificate from the Chief Constable. I'm on the right http://twitpic.com/36tngq (see photo top left) (14 Nov, 2.24pm).

Community engagement is excellent to see with tweets like this: Thank you to the #Sikh community of #Coventry for a cheque 4 £501 for the special constabulary memorial stone http://twitpic.com/4ov05c (24 April, 10.55pm)

And the magnificent simplicity of Kerry's tweets is how often you see what Kerry sees:  Parade now at Broad St, Pacing ourselves #samosaoverload http://twitpic.com/4ovxof (24 April, 12.23pm).

Kerry Blakeman as @kerryblakeman joined Twitter on 24 October 2009, has made 475 teets, follows 335 and has 544 followers. Great work - keep it up.

Warwickshire Police Twitter Project - Launches Today #WPTP

Send this Tweet #WPTP

The new Warwickshire Policing Model comes into operation on Monday 9 May 2011. There will be 33 Safer Neighbourhood Teams (SNTs) throughout Warwickshire - not one of them has a Twitter Account to embrace a community.

There are over 1,000 Warwickshire Police Officers and PCSOs - not one of them has an Twitter Account. If there are any - I cannot find them. I've been looking for the last four months. 

From today, whatsinKenilworth are launching the Warwickshire Police Twitter Project #WPTP. The Warwickshire Police Authority have a section on their website called Community Engagement which states,

'The Police Authority has a duty to consult the public. Moreover, we are committed to listening to your views so we know how you feel about policing in your area. To this end, we have placed community engagement at the heart of what we do: recognising that more engaged policing is more effective policing...If you choose to talk to us, you are having your say on the future of Warwickshire Police. In addition, you can contribute through surveys, forums, events and conferences as well as through direct contact by phone, e-mail and post.'

Sir Robert Peel

This does not say anything about Social Media and especially Twitter. Community Forums are held four times a year, so once every three months is grossly inadequate (and poorly attended). The WPA also quote Sir Robert Peel,

'Police, at all times, should maintain a relationship with the public that gives reality to the historic tradition that the police are the public and the public are the police; the police being only members of the public who are paid to give full-time attention to duties which are incumbent upon every citizen in the interests of community welfare and existence.”

In 1827, when Sir Robert Peel said that, he didn't mention Social Media either - had he known about Twitter, I am sure he would have included it in his statement. I like to think the chain from his waistcoat is attached to a Blackberry or an early iPhone.

What you can do? There are 535,100 people living in Warwickshire. The first step is to send a tweet to @WarwickshirePA or @warkspolice to be heard:

@WarwickshirePA I would like to see my Community Police SNT Officer/PCSO on Twitter ASAP ...Warwickshire Police Twitter Project #WPTP

@warkspolice I would like to see my Community Police SNT Officer/PCSO on Twitter ASAP from the Warwickshire Police Twitter Project #WPTP 

And I will do the rest by contacting all 33 safer Neighbourhood teams and seeing who is first Officer or PCSO to join this project. I understand NO ONE wants to be the first person from Warwickshire Police actively using Twitter to Tweet From The Beat.

West Midlands Police neighbour Warwickshire and have over 200 Twitter Accounts. The next post in this project will feature some key West Midlands Police twitter accounts, explaining how they are used in the community they serve.

My theory is - if the people ask, the authority will listen and provide. The cost for this service is zero - computers and smart phones are everywhere. The tipping point is attitude not resource.

Extract of an email sent to some Police Partner Organisations:

I am very keen to open a conversation with you Re: Warwickshire Police and the use of Social Media. As hyperlocal digital media, we have been working with West Midlands Police with Twitter and Twitcam (real time video). 

However, NO ONE from Warwickshire Police is using this Twitter or any (as yet). There are twitter accounts, but only generic forms like @warkspolice and @WarwickshirePA.

From attending the Police Authority meeting at Shire Hall yesterday, we understand there no plans are for any more social media use. This comes at a time when there are cuts and some safer neighbourhood team offices have yet to be decided.

In my view, there has not been a better time for officers and PCSOs to open a twitter account and embrace their community. To prove this, I intent to invite the public to make their voices heard on how they choose to communicate with their Police Force. Community Forums that are held every three months and inadequate in this digital age.

Finally, we understand there are officers in Warwickshire that do want to engage but NO ONE wants to be the first to 'put their head above the parapet.' We can offer our assistance to help in any way I can. Kind Regards, Mike Downes www.whatsinKenilworth.com 

A Twitcam from @kerryblakeman Police @spshilton Fire

One day, hopefully very soon, Warwickshire Police will open a Twitter account and produce a Twitcam. Until then, see how the West Midlands Police and Fire are leading the field to engage with their local community. What's in Kenilworth have a YouTube channel.

Live TwitCam from West Midlands Police and Fire 7pm Tonight

There will be a live Twitcam this evening from 7pm at Moor Street, Earlsdon, Coventry. The event is hosted by West Midlands Police Chief Inspector Kerry Blakeman and Coventry Fire Command Operations Commander Simon Shilton. I will be attending the event and anyone wishing to tune in can do so on Twitter. The live twitcam stream will appear here when the link is ready. If you are in near Earsldon Street, and Moor Street come along, watch in person and meet the team. For more about Twitcam click the TWITCAM label below.

This  Broadcast is now over, but here here are the Thanks and Until Next Time. There will be a Twitcam - behind the scenes video available very soon. As CI Kerry Blakeman said, 'We believe this is the very first time that Twitcam has been broadcast live from the street.'

Twitcam - The New Way to Embrace a Community

Screen Shot from a broadcast

Over the last few weeks, I have been getting involved in Twitcam (which is linked to Twitter). For those who do not know, it works like this. Logon to Twitter, Logon to Twitcam, start broadcasting live video, Tweet the link and that's it. Viewers (who are logged into Twitter), can post real time questions (or comments) and have them answered (or influence) the broadcast. So who has used it? Here's the list so far in date order:

@Coventry_Police (Insp Alastair Orencas) Two Twitcam Broadcasts (one archived).

@kerryblakeman (CI Kerry Blakeman) Two Twitcam Broadcasts (one archived with Simon Shilton Operations Commander West Midlands Fire Service).  @ErdingtonLDG (Police, Fire and many other groups)  Two Twitcam Broadcasts (@wills_5590 and  @Neil_Grif WMFS Both Archived ). 

The next Twitcam (from Police and Fire) will be on 22 March with @kerryblakeman and @spshilton. However, there are plans for a special Twitcam from Warwick Library on 17 March 2011 with @808Kate, @Kaz_Ram and @wiKenilworth when the next Warwickshire SMS takes place.  This is an event when anyone can learn how to improve their social media, blogging or web skills (for free) - why not come along?

Lastly, we look forward to some Twitcams in the very near future from @InspWestMidsPol, @DIWestMidsPol and @CIPayneWMPolice

Live Twitcam from Erdington, Birmingham

This Joint Agency Twitcam is now over, but is now available to watch again. This shows how something as simple as live video feed can show how Police, Fire and other agencies can successfully engage with the community via social media. To my knowledge, Warwickshire has not broadcast any Twitcam at all so far. But thankfully, I have contacts in these area and will be doing my best encourage them.

Live Twitcam from West Midlands Police at 7pm Today

The will Live Twitcan broadcast from WM Police and Fire Service at 7-8pm today (15 Feb 2011) has now ended, but is available to watch again - just click the button to play (60 mins). Contact: Twitter @kerryblakeman

Photographed are CI Kerry Blakeman and Fire Commander Simon Shilton @spshilton

Live Twitcam from @Coventry_Police at 7pm today - Watch it here

Inspector Orencas from West Midlands Police will be broadcasting live from Twitcan at 7pm today. You will be able to watch the programme live here. Broadcast LIVE, Now ended, awaiting Watch Again Link.

Live TwitCam from West Midlands Police

Chief Inspector Kerry Blakeman from West Midlands Police produced his first Live Broadcast using Twitter and Twitcam at 7.30pm to 8.30pm on Tues 1 Feb 2011. This is a forward thinking idea where viewers can tweet live questions and see and hear instant answers. Twitcam can be used by anyone. After the broadcast has ended, the video can be replayed. In my view, this tech can be used by anyone, especially maybe teachers broadcasting to students in the exam season. Or in business to ask questions to an expert or in sport for a post match interactive real time interview. Well done West Midlands Police - let's hope Warwickshire Police can follow this idea very soon. Update: the Broadcast has now ended, but as yet is not available to watch again.