Last week on Tuesday, March 22, Larry Larimore became Shawnee’s chief police officer following former chief police officer Jim Morgan’s retirement. Starting his first day, Larimore writes a daily blog called “A Few Good Words” in which he showcases the day-to-day work of Shawnee police officers. I had a chance to talk to Larimore about the Shawnee police department, the future of his blog and social media strategy:
How long have you been a police officer for?
“I’ve been a police officer for 25 years and I was a deputy officer under Chief Morgan.”
How did you become a police officer?
“I started off as a paramedic in Shawnee with Med-Act for seven years. My mom was a nurse so I wanted to get into some type of medical service…I also really liked the TV show “Emergency.” It was made up stories but it had all the equipment they were using and it seemed interesting to me. I kind of liked the idea of being a paramedic…I got to know a lot of reserved police officers [at the Quivira police station] in 1985 and I got hired here [in Shawnee] in 1987.”
How does being Shawnee’s police chief differ from other positions you have held?
“Being chief is definitely being representative for the police department in more of an external environment. I deal with legislation and community issues. Deputy police officer is operational and deals with the day-to-day. The chief of police is responsible for the big picture.”
What have been some recent successes in the police department?
“Here in Shawnee we have hot spot policing which is where you put cops where crime has historically happened and it is time and location based. [For example] the 75th Street corridor from Switzer Street to Quivira Road historically has higher levels of crime and traffic crashes. We began the program last year called “data driven approaches to crime and traffic safety.” We take that data of what time crime occurs and send staff officers there during the day at those times. In the last six months, we were able to drop what we call stranger crimes 37 percent. The vision is you want to put cops where crime is occurring.”
Where did you get the idea to start a blog?
“Chief Charlie Clark before Chief Jim Morgan started a blog to track motorcycle trips. He was a big motorcycle rider. He would blog everyday where they had been and what they had done. Also, a police chief in Lincoln, Nebraska has a blog that’s very interesting to read. I also told the city manager that if I became chief, I would have a blog…We have a goal in the city to become more involved with the city’s social media strategy.”
How often do you blog?
“I’m trying to do it daily, Monday through Friday. I’m four days into it. I have to write one today and I have no idea what I’m going to talk about. I kind of promised in the first blog that I would write about a variety of things…I’m definitely getting geared up on how I’m going to do that.”
What are some challenges in writing the blog?
“I’ve got to be real careful in not disclosing criminal history information because everyone is innocent until proven guilty. I’ll never use names or locations.”
What do you hope to talk about in your blog?
“I think most information people hear in the police department has a negative side, where we have to do the job because somebody’s done something wrong. They do so many good things people don’t hear about and I want to bring that into it; not just criminal stuff but community service too. For example, we had a police officer who played football, he’s a huge guy…he decided he would do something nice for the kids at Children’s Mercy South on Christmas morning. He and one of the sergeants delivered presents to the kids on Christmas morning. That’s not stuff you are going to hear about in a regular media outlet.”
How important should social media be in public works departments like a police department?
“Social media is the most used form of communication now. It’s only harder as days go by to capture that audience. We are going to need to be involved in the media. The safety of the community is a partnership. Everyone needs to be involved with both police and citizens.”
What are your goals for the blog in the future?
“I hope that we can create a dialogue. I hope there are comments people make that I can respond to, that it’s not just all one-way communication and just for me it’s a way to showcase the police department. It’s fun too. I enjoy writing more than public speaking…”
