The Role of Social Capital in Critical Incident Investigations

Part Two of a Four-Part Series

This is part two of a four part series on the new realities of managing critical incidents and their subsequent investigations. The first part dealt with the background of the examination and the role expanded tele-connectivity plays in these type of incidents. The first part of the series can be found here: https://medium.com/homeland-security/social-media-connectivity-crowdsourcing-and-the-new-reality-of-critical-incidents-aeb2909f365b

The new Social Capital:

“When an American asks for the co-operation of his fellow citizens, it is seldom refused; and I have often seen it afforded spontaneously, and with great goodwill.”

-Alexis de Tocqueville, Democracy in America, 1840.

The concept and definition of social capital was originally explored by Lyda Judson Hanifan in the early 1900s while studying rural school communities. Hanifan defined social capital as “(T)he cultivation of good will, fellowship, sympathy and social intercourse among those that make up a social unit.” It has become a popular topic of research among social scientists and even the World Bank. One of the most preeminent scholars of the topic, Robert Putnam, has come to simply define social capital as “…connections among individuals — social networks and the norms of reciprocity and trustworthiness that arise from them.” Some also refer to social capital as civic virtue.

Since the wide spread use of the telephone, many have predicted the demise of social capital and a more individualistic and withdrawn existence for average citizens. However, social capital has not disappeared it has simply taken on new forms and has been augmented by every new method of communication humans develop. French philosopher Alexis de Tocqueville, observed that America’s strength rested on its inter-connected citizenry. He also pointed to Americans’ high propensity for joining civic, religious, and moral associations with their fellow citizens.

Social scientists who agree with de Tocqueville’s assessment of the American psyche and view of social capital believe that it is these social ties and the trust they build that unites Americans in a time of need to pool resources and fight for a common good or against a mutual enemy. This was the case in Boston, individuals from disparate locations and from dissimilar backgrounds established small online communities in an attempt to restore order. However, the efforts of some of these communities crossed the line from being helpful to harmful.

Whether you take the view that the Internet, social media, and living more of your life online is augmenting, simply transforming or completely destroying the originally conceived idea of social capital, all three theories hold significant issues that need to be addressed by law enforcement when responding to a terrorist event. The previously described increase in connectivity coupled with the added desire and willingness to quickly build “purpose-built” online communities means law enforcement should expect to be swimming (or drowning) in information and theories about an attack within minutes of the attack taking place. These online communities are also often spread out over geographically distant locations so information regarding suspected individuals capable of mounting such attacks will be flowing in from around the country and the world. Law enforcement needs to be ready to quickly provide information management solutions to effectively manage and capitalize on the vital information streaming in instantaneously and without solicitation after an incident.

Governments that foster and harness a strong sense of social capital or civic virtue have been demonstrated to be the most successful. Studies indicate that populations that have strong traditions of civic engagement are easier to govern and are more prosperous. As originally documented by de Tocqueville and numerous later studies, the American citizenry, whether in person or online, ranks as one of the most civically engaged populations in the world. As such, law enforcement should foster and reward this civic involvement and dedication towards a common goal by being immediately prepared to harness their efforts and goodwill during crisis situations. However, law enforcement must not completely abdicate its responsibility to correct completely potentially harmful information being put out by these purpose-built social media groups, such as findbostonbombers on Reddit, as happened when several individuals were erroneously fingered by these groups.

Part Three: What Happens When Investigations Are Crowdsourced?

Part Four: Recommendations for Law Enforcement to Adapt to the New Realities of Critical Incident Response.