The Mt. Juliet Police Department’s Twitter account has more followers than most of the other police departments of its size in the United States. According to the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) Center for Social Media’s recently released top ten list for “Most Twitter Followers”, the Mt. Juliet Police Department ranked as #7 in a top 10 list of agencies with 26 to 49 sworn officers. Mt. Juliet Police is only one of two Tennessee agencies to be ranked for their Twitter presence. The other agency is Franklin Police Department.
Mt. Juliet Police began its social media presence in 2011. Utilizing Twitter and Facebook, the department has enhanced its communication with the public by providing another avenue to keep the public informed. The communication isn’t just one-way either. Followers are able to engage the department with questions, concerns, and praise through the social media sites.
“Our presence in social media has been very positive. I think all police department’s should have a social media presence.” stated Mt. Juliet Police Chief James Hambrick. “Everywhere I go, I am constantly getting comments and appreciation for our use of Twitter and Facebook. I’m pleased our department has so many followers and to make the IACP’s list.”
The social media accounts are monitored by the department’s Community Policing Division, which handles media and community relations for the agency. However, the social media presence is truly a department-wide effort. Many of the department’s employees contribute to different posts that are sent out on the sites. Twitter and Facebook is not monitored 24/7, so it is not a substitute for requesting police assistance. Currently, Mt. Juliet Police has 3,150 Twitter followers and 3,459 Facebook likes.
IACP’s List of U.S. Law Enforcement Agencies with the Most Twitter Followers: http://www.iacpsocialmedia.org/Directory/AgencyTwitterStatistics.aspx