SITE OF THE MONTH: MINNEAPOLIS POLICE DEPARTMENT
There is a trend toward incorporating local police department websites into the website of the community they serve rather than having a separate website of their own. These sites are usually well designed and reliable with essential contact information, but not a whole lot more. The Minneapolis Police Department's Web pages are an exception. The site is low key and complements the rest of the city page but with a lot of conveniently accessed information. The site gives lots of space to the city's volunteer community watch programs. There are also crime prevention tips, and an explanation of crime statistics. There is a section of crime alert bulletins which citizens can receive via email. Minneapolis also participates in the federally funded "Watch Your Car Program," and there is information about that as well. The site lacks photographs, history, and some of the other public relations and personal touches that can make a police website something that helps foster community relations, as is usually the case with most of these police sites that are teamed up with the city page. But the Minneapolis Police manage to do an excellent job of delivering quality and timely information to city residents.
http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/citywork/police/