Police wiki victim of its own success

Last week the New Zealand Police launched a wiki inviting comment and ideas from the public on the new Policing Act.

The response to the wiki was overwhelming with the wiki being suspended after 3 days of being open to the public. It’s fantastic to see the Police embracing such and open and democratic process. A brief look around the wiki quickly threw up examples of irreverence and satire. It’s disappointing that the public haven’t taken full advantage of the opportunity presented. Congratulations to the New Zealand Police on their willingness to engage the public.

Policing Act Wiki

This is an excellent illustration of how different consultation tools are perceived and valued by the public. Unfortunately wikis are easily marginalised and subverted by a vocal minority. It is difficult to sort the wheat from the chaff as previous contributors comments are overwritten.

Wikis remain an effective tool in our consultation toolbox but do not give even weight to individual voices as an ePanel does. The cultural capital needed to engage is considerable. Generally a narrow range of contributors is engaged due to the very public nature of their contribution.