We understand that there are countless stories of police officers doing great things. Viral video clips of the use of force by police officers permeate our senses and raise many questions. The public doesn’t have a more balanced view because law enforcement organizations have not kept up with the pace of social media and its impact on public perception. This is creating the condition that I call “Coptics, The Optics of Policing in the Digital Age.”
The challenge we face is that the “optics” are driving the narrative and the narrative is being driven by visceral, emotionally charged video. In this sense law enforcement is losing the battle of time, because incidents can become viral before police leaders are aware of an incident. Unfortunately, that’s true even before incidents have been investigated. Even in situations where use of force actions are justified, the public’s perceptions become exacerbated by the existence of video. The crisis grows with each incident of police action that is caught on video and becomes viral. Law enforcement in the United States faces a public relations crisis. According to The Wall Street Journal, citizen confidence in the police is at its lowest point in 20 years among Americans of all ages, education levels, incomes and races. provides the public with a balanced view of that culture and its role in our communities? Do you think the current media coverage about policing in the U.S. In his upcoming Hachette book, White, Black and Blue: A Cop Reveals What Happens Behind the Blue Line, he chronicles his career as a black law enforcement officer, the current state of policing in the digital age and his trademarked term, “Coptics.” You are a recognized expert and have also been on the front lines of law enforcement. He is frequently featured in live broadcast news segments related to homeland security and law enforcement matters on CNN, Headline News, MSNBC, FOX and local affiliates. Matt Horace is a 27-year veteran of local, state and federal law enforcement. We asked Matt Horace, a security and crisis management expert, how police agencies around the country can adapt to this new reality. Social media has transformed America’s confidence in law enforcement and the reputations of law enforcement professionals.
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