From Influencers to Officers: Meet the Future of Policing

Oddtopia Design Fiction Shorts #4

Jul 23, 2024

A retrofuturist illustration of a police station interior, combining nostalgic mid-20th century design with modern elements. The scene features sleek glass windows, vibrant LED lights, and stylish mid-century modern furniture. The main floor includes ring lights and cameras, desks with high-end computers for editing and streaming, and large monitors displaying live feeds. The overall atmosphere is cheerful and engaging, blending vintage aesthetics with futuristic technology. The style is detailed and lifelike, emphasizing a friendly and inviting environment. This design should mirror the elements of the provided image but with a retrofuturist artistic twist.

In the year 2050, cities have embraced a bizarre yet oddly effective new model of law enforcement: merging influencer houses with police stations into what are now known as Engagement Hubs. Half reality TV set, half precinct, ring lights and interrogation rooms. PoliceBook, an exclusive platform for officers, livestreams their daily activities. From issuing parking tickets to breaking up bar fights, officers broadcast everything through body cams. Charismatic and authentic officers attract the most followers. And the most popular officers are given the most authority. High engagement officers get priority in high-profile cases and influence local policies, while those with fewer followers handle the routine tasks. Donations received during their streams boost their personal resources, funding their personal branding and influence campaigns to reduce crime and enhance their standing in the community.

A retrofuturist poster illustration featuring a landing page for a livestream selection app called PoliceBook. The page displays various live shows, including one with a social media influencer wearing a police hat conducting an interrogation scene. The UI includes elements such as thumbnails for each live show, engagement metrics like views and likes, and a colorful, stylized design. The background is more abstract, and the characters are all happier and more casually dressed. The overall aesthetic blends retro and futuristic elements, emphasizing a friendly and engaging atmosphere. Make the scene more hip and pop, with vibrant, bold colors and lively, playful expressions.

While the majority of Engagement Officers were former police upskilled with the livestream skillset, the most popular Officers were tradtional influencers. The pranksters of social media have grown up and turned their large followings into a new career as Community Engagement Officers. Their past escapades, rather than being career-ending scandals, help them connect with offenders on the street. Their personal, authentic approachs lead to more genuine interactions and resolutions in the interrogation rooms. Not to mention the view counts for redemption arcs!

A retrofuturist poster illustration featuring a social media influencer wearing a police hat, interacting with a fighting couple in front of their house. A drone camera is filming the scene, and everyone is happy and playful. The image should feature vibrant colors and a stylized, artistic design. Incorporate elements like a livestream overlay showing engagement metrics such as likes, comments, and donations, but without text. The overall aesthetic should blend retro and futuristic elements, emphasizing a friendly and engaging atmosphere. The style should match the provided reference image.

Crime rates dropped as communities become more engaged with their livestreaming officers, and trust in law enforcement soared as they became local celebrities.