New Bedford Police Department joins TikTok. What to expect if you follow their channel.

NEW BEDFORD — The New Bedford Police Department has recently joined the popular social media platform TikTok in an effort to connect with a younger audience.

"We are always looking for new ways to connect our officers with the public. This is just another platform to utilize," said Holly Huntoon, Media Relations Specialist for the NBPD.

The main goal of creating a TikTok channel was to reach out to the younger demographic and potentially attract them to a career in law enforcement, according to Huntoon.

With the NBPD currently in the "recruiting phase" for the Civil Service Exam, the department saw this as the perfect opportunity to expand their reach and engage with the community in a unique way.

What will be featured on the TikTok channel?

Huntoon said the NBPD TikTok channel will not only feature entertaining and creative content, but also educational information for the public and highlights of the department and its officers.

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"We want to showcase the hard work and dedication of our officers and promote a positive image of the department as a whole," Huntoon said, adding by using this platform, the department hopes to break down barriers and establish a more approachable and relatable image for the community.

She also said the department will take inspiration from other successful TikTok channels, but also plans to create their own unique content that showcases the NBPD's distinct personality.

"We are always looking for inspiration, but also opportunities to innovate," said Huntoon. "Our goal is to spark an interest in law enforcement and inspire young people to consider a career with the NBPD," Huntoon said.

The New Bedford Police Department's TikTok channel has already gained a following and is rapidly growing. By utilizing this popular platform, the department hopes to break stereotypes and build a stronger relationship with the community.

In addition to entertaining and informative content, the NBPD plans to use their TikTok channel for public service announcements, informational videos, maybe some fun challenges, and also a behind-the-scenes look at the daily lives of police officers.

Standard-Times staff writer Seth Chitwood can be reached at schitwood@s-t.com. Follow him on twitter:@ChitwoodReports. Support local journalism by purchasing a digital or print subscription to The Standard-Times today.

This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: The New Bedford Police Department is now on TikTok