Leveraging y(our) online community

Have you ever found yourself spiraling helplessly down a Google hole? The kind of descent during which, an hour into the “search,” you’ve already forgotten what you were looking for in the first place?
This happens to me sometimes when I’m researching a story or news article. I ask question after question. Then I get absorbed in a story that’s maybe related—maybe not. I click on a link, then another—and then another. The constant seeking is all part of gig, of course. It can even be pretty fun. Even so, sometimes you just need a decent, qualified answer. I’ve found it pays to bookmark the pages that are informational bonanzas when I find them so that I can visit them early and often in my future quests.
Almost as good as a roomful of trusted advisors, these enlighted web nooks become our first stops when we want to cut to the investigative chase.
Our annual buyer’s guide is meant to be such a faithful source (albeit, one you can hold in your hands). But there are more ways to find reliable information as you ask yourself what technology or service will help you to move forward in 2016 so you can do your best work yet. Maybe the time has come to take a closer look at crime analytics software or body cams, upgraded weapons storage for the fleet, or just find out more about eTicket scanners. So here’s the next part of the equation: Once you know what you want and where to get it, how do you intend to shop for/justify/purchase the product?
Now comes the part where I shamelessly plug the Law Enforcement Technology (LET) forum section on Officer.com. Check it out if you’re looking to talk about what has worked for you and what hasn’t, and to share ideas with others in the trenches, hailing from agencies small to large. The conversations are real and insightful. I’d love to hear what you have to say! forums.officer.com/f219
Thanks for all you do!