Christopher Swope was GOVERNING's executive editor.
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The Blogging Bill Bratton
Add LAPD Chief and noted gang-buster Bill Bratton to the list of high-profile local bloggers. Bratton's opening post today calls the newly launched LAPD blog "an interactive tool that we will use to deliver real-time, unfiltered information."
Having a police blog is a great idea, and in theory could open new channels of communication between cops and citizens. I have my doubts, though, about how "unfiltered" this forum will be. Judging by the first few posts below Bratton's, apparently written by others at the department, the LAPD's top priority seems to be using the blog to respond to critical media coverage.
It'll be interesting to see how this experiment evolves. Best case scenario: Angelinos use the blog to gripe when it's necessary and to issue praise when it's due. It'd also be nice if all the LAPD bloggers, Chief Bratton and whoever else is involved, let their guards down a bit. Let's have a little less command-and-control and a little more cop-on-the-beat.
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