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Katie Watts

PFC Katie Watts is a Public Information Officer with the Fairfax County Police Department, now in her tenth year of service. She began her career on patrol, later transitioning to community outreach before joining the Public Affairs Bureau, where she has served for the past two years. As a hybrid PIO and digital strategist, PFC Watts leads the department’s social media efforts—spearheading content creation, campaign development, and performance tracking. Her creative vision and operational insight have helped shape FCPD’s digital voice and community engagement strategy.
General Session 1:30pm - 2:15pm

Wednesday September 10th

The Reel Deal: How to Hack the Algorithm and Grow Your Following With Authenticity

Want to grow your law enforcement agency’s social media presence and get more eyes on your content? The Fairfax County Police Department (FCPD) has cracked the code—boosting its Instagram following by 90% in 2024 by focusing exclusively on Reels. By leveraging body-worn camera footage, trending content, and Instagram’s algorithm, FCPD has reached a wider audience, with nearly 80% of views coming from non-followers. This session will break down how law enforcement can use short-form video to maximize reach while staying authentic. Learn actionable strategies to expand your audience, increase engagement, and build trust with your community—one reel at a time. This two-person presentation will feature members of FCPD’s Public Affairs Bureau, sharing real-world examples and data-informed insights on using Instagram Reels to grow engagement. Attendees will learn practical strategies for creating compelling short-form videos, leveraging trends, and optimizing posts for maximum reach. The session will include a PowerPoint, interactive elements like live polls, and a Q&A to address specific social media challenges faced by law enforcement agencies.