Wednesday 18th Sept

In the Line of (Digital) Duty: Prioritizing Cyber Literacy in Police Education

Let's face it, the landscape of social interaction in general - and crime in particular - has become heavily dependent on digital tools, data, and networks. As society becomes continually entwined and enamored with ever-evolving digital technologies and online/connected everything, the need for public safety workers to effectively navigate digital tools, environments, evidence, and information sources has never been more important to the role of frontline police first responders. No longer the exclusive purview of specialized units and expert civilian members, today’s frontline officers are expected to competently navigate connected environments and tools - such as social media sites, geospatial intelligence, and OSINT - in their every call for service. This presentation explores the evolving landscape of police officer education and the critical need to build digital literacies, online skills, and technological competencies among every police officer. In particular, we discuss the role post-secondary education can play in preparing officers to meet the dynamic and digital requirements of their role. We highlight methods of infusing digital competencies in officer education and explore the need for curriculum that is both practical and academic (pracademic).