MVPD Ranks No. 1 in Twitter Followers

For a department with 50 to 99 sworn officers, the Mountain View Police has the highest number of Twitter followers, according to a ranking by the International Association of Police Chiefs (IACP).

At the time the IACP published its list on April 30, the MVPD had 5,932 followers compared to 5,444 for the Billerica Police Department in Massachusetts. Similarly sized San Rafael, CA came in at No. 9 with 4,090. As of the publication of this Patch article, the MVPD had already amassed 6,124.

“I’m very proud of the level of engagement and reach our department has had with the community,” said Lt. Chris Hsiung, the department’s social media manager. “When MVPD decided to change our social media strategy back in August 2012, we had approximately 2,700 followers on our Twitter account @MountainViewPD.”

For Hsiung and the department, “it is a validation that our social media strategy is working and continues to bring us closer to the community each and every day.”

The multi-faceted social media strategy includes a Facebook page, a Pinterest account, a Vine video account and a blog. Through all of these methods, the MVPD communicates public safety information, major arrests and also promotes the accomplishments of the department. For example this May 14, they shared via Facebook, Twitter and blog how Oles, one of their two K9s, and Officer Valenzuela won the top prize this week for narcotics and patrol.

But the MPVD’s social media strategy hasn’t just gained followers in Mountain View. They continue to be held as an example of how police departments can effectively engage with its community, as the California Police Chief’s magazine noted.

“This has benefited the community in learning more about the men and women that serve and protect them as well as being a source of information during public safety incidents and emergencies,” Hsiung said.

“The department benefits in seeing the incredible support our community has for us. We have always known that our community supports us but to read personal comments of gratitude and encouragement on a daily basis? It’s very heartfelt and gratifying and makes a difficult job much easier to perform. Thank you Mountain View!”