PD blogs such as the
LAPD's blog
follow the newspaper police blotter format — they even use datelines — and sprinkle in a few news releases about community outreach initiatives.
Others such as the blogs from the
Lakeland (Fla.) PD
or
Amherst (Mass.) PD
comment on issues in the community or department. The Amherst PD blog even shows pictures of officers at off-duty charitable functions.
A good blog is informative, offers insight about its topic (the community you spend your days patrolling) and allows readers to interact with it via comments. Posts with pictures, such as the ones on
Broward Sheriff's Office blog
, can also help.
Let us know if your department has started a blog, and whether it's been a help or hindrance to the department, by submitting a comment below.