Liz Murphy

Liz Murphy is the law enforcement and public safety content editor at MultiBriefs. Prior to joining the MultiBriefs team in 2013, Liz specialized communications, new media and leadership at LivingSocial and CQ Press in Washington, D.C.

Articles by Liz Murphy

• In the spotlight: Police, technology and the Fourth Amendment

  Thursday, May 29, 2014

  The Fourth Amendment of the Bill of Rights protects American citizens against "unreasonable searches and seizures." Moreover, warrants must be specific regarding search parameters, issued with probable cause and approved with judicial oversight.

• Why you need a social media policy — and how to get started

  Friday, May 23, 2014

  Unfortunately, it's not uncommon for companies to make headlines for embarrassing social media blunders — ranging from inappropriately capitalizing on national tragedies to poorly-timed messaging. But public "fails" on official social media channels are not the only challenges organizations face in today's fast-paced world of technological innovation.

• Flying Dog brews craft beer to help Maryland nonprofits

  Thursday, May 22, 2014

  Flying Dog Brewery, based in Frederick, Maryland, has built its craft beer brand on the foundation of an edgy, truthful, fun-loving culture. That culture is showcased further through the names of their brews and the custom artwork by Ralph Steadman on each of the cans and bottles.

• Are free speech and public safety at odds in the Internet age?

  Wednesday, March 19, 2014

  ​The rapid pace at which technology is evolving is nothing short of awe-inspiring. But with every device or piece of social technology we create, we are continually reminded that our ability to innovate often outpaces our ability to create laws that protect public safety — often with tragic consequences.

• Should Comcast and Facebook be the gatekeepers of our content?

  Monday, February 24, 2014

  Comcast and Facebook may seem quite different from each other — the former is the traditional faceless corporation, and the latter is a young, fun start-up that prides itself on social interaction and innovation. In reality, they are two sides of the same coin.

• The growing epidemic of gangs and guns in the United States

  Thursday, January 30, 2014

  Gang violence is a growing challenge for law enforcement agencies and lawmakers across the country. At the recent United States Conference of Mayors in Washington, D.C., mayors from across the country participated in a session to discuss this issue. Ashley Swearengin, the mayor of Fresno, Calif., acted as the chair of the session and offered her thoughts on Fresno's ongoing battle against gang violence. But this problem isn't limited to Fresno. In fact, the 2011 National Gang Threat Assessment published by the FBI's National Gang Intelligence Center shows how gangs significantly impact crime rates in communities.

• 5 easy ways to keep your email inbox under control

  Friday, January 24, 2014

  Co-workers and clients aren't the only sources of stress in the workplace. Though it may surprise you, email — a tool meant to make our lives easier — is also another culprit creating work-related strain and anxiety. It's easy to let an inbox to become overwhelming, and unfortunately taking a vacation from your work email is not always possible. But here are five easy ways you can become the boss of your own inbox once again.

• 8 tips for delivering difficult employee feedback

  Monday, November 04, 2013

  Being in a leadership position can be rewarding, but it does require a lot of time and dedication to your people. In fact, one of the biggest responsibilities of a leader is identifying and correcting performance issues. Because an employee's performance can be a sensitive matter, here are eight tips to help you deliver difficult feedback in a way that produces positive results.

• Is BlueLine Connect the future of law enforcement collaboration?

  Friday, October 25, 2013

  David Riker, president and chief operating officer of Bratton Technologies, kept hearing one thing from all levels of law enforcement: "Our biggest issue is that we can’t find each other. We don’t have the tools we need to collaborate." To address this, the Bratton Technologies team recently unveiled a new professional network exclusively for law enforcement: BlueLine Connect.

• Take your conference to the next level with a mobile app

  Thursday, October 24, 2013

  The sheer scale of the five-day convention for the International Association of Chiefs of Police — from the size of the complex to the 200-plus program sessions offered — could have easily become overwhelming and fragmented. But organizers of the IACP annual conference took a critical, proactive step to ensure attendees were able to get the most out of the event.

• Cigarette trafficking: A big problem in a small package

  Monday, September 30, 2013

  The circumvention of a state's cigarette excise tax may not seem like a criminal enterprise worthy of serious attention from law enforcement. But Corporal Detective Johnny Capocelli of Virginia's Chesterfield County Police Department strongly disagrees. "This isn't a tax issue. This is about the criminal activities associated with cigarette trafficking," Capocelli says. "And it's so new that many law enforcement agencies aren't getting into it yet."

• Social media policies and strategies for your agency

  Tuesday, September 24, 2013

  Social media is the future of how law enforcement will interact with the communities they serve. But before you send out your first official tweet, you must establish rules that govern how your staff represents your agency to the public. In addition, you should develop a clear communications strategy that defines how and when you interact with the community and who delivers those messages.