When you start your own account on YouTube, you are then able to create your "channel" which allows users to subscribe to you where they can view all video uploads that you specifically have posted on the YouTube website. As is the case with individuals, many police departments have now started their own channels that people can subscribe to. The content on department channels are everything from recruitment videos, to preparing potential candidates for a physical fitness test requirement, to surveillance video taken from a recent robbery.
Although the technology is new, particularly in regards to surveillance camera footage of a crime trying to identify a suspect, it is a great way to reach a large number of people at any point during the day. People are able to view the department's content at any point during the day, instead of hoping they catch the footage on the nightly news broadcasts.
Below I have provided a few videos as an example from my old department the Arlington County Police Department (VA).
This first video is an example of a recruitment video. All officer's involved are actual police officers with the department and the scenarios have at one point or another actually occurred. The suspects in the video are actually police officers playing a role.
This video is an example of a preview of the physical agility entrance test required for applicants to successfully pass in order to move on in the hiring process. In my experience in any entrance physical agility exam, a large number of applicants are generally eliminated as a result of not being able to pass this test. Many applicants attribute this to not being prepared for what's required of them. With the information available on YouTube, applicants can now create their own practice test in order to be better prepared for what lies ahead. Although the statistical information on how effective it is would be hard to figure out without taking surveys and finding out what applicants prepared based on the video, one would assume that those who prepare have a higher passing rate.
This final video is an example of surveillance footage of a robbery suspect from a local pharmacy. The video is released and put out to the public to attempt to identify the suspect involved. Police hope that this leads to anonymous tips from people who recognize the suspect but do not want to get involved in the case.
As you can see, YouTube has really assisted law enforcement in several different ways. Although officers must be more careful now, as private citizens are capable of taking videos of everything you do as an officer and uploading immediately through their phone, my take on it has always been if you're doing your job the way it's supposed to be done, cameras can only help make your case in court.
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