If you think about it, Twitter really is like a police scanner. It’s a constant stream of live updates on events and situations.

The only difference?

Nobody radios in a report on how yawn-inducing the workday is or how delicious that cheeseburger was for lunch.

And what is the meaning of life if it’s bereft of pointless updates like those? Sync your scanner with your Twitter feed for the best of both worlds.

Before you start, hit up the following Twitter accounts for an overload of law enforcement love. Keep your ear to the ground by following other departments, LEO-related websites and news services.

Tweeple

Who: @hipcop
Style: Spunky and supportive
Followers: 4,989
Sweetest tweet: I am going Sky Diving this week as a gift to my Hubby for Father’s Day http://thisinspires.me/ #blog 10:03 AM Jun 20th via TweetDeck
Other awesome tweeps: @policenotes, @katcop13, @policeofficer, @2ndCitysFiveOh, @lapdofficer, @OfficerJackson, @JoeTheCop, @apolicewife, @michaelvallez.

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Departments

Who: @boston_police
Style: To the point with loads of links to Boston Police Department’s viral community.
Followers: 13,917
Sweetest tweet: 1,000 POUNDS OF MARIJUANA LOCATED AND SEIZED IN COORDINATED LAW ENFORCEMENT EFFORT:  On Wednesday, June 2, 2010, m… http://bit.ly/aiAaEH 12:38 PM Jun 3rd via twitterfeed
Other awesome department tweeps: @omahapolice, @bocachief, @portlandpolice, @WOODSTOCKPD, @modestopolice, @milwaukeepolice, @WaterfordPolice, @JOCOSHERIFF, @BaltimorePolice, @TexasDPS_PIO, @OkCountySheriff, @BocaPolice, @BBPD, @RichmondPolice, @DenverPolice, @NaplesPolice, @boulderpolice, @AuburnPD, @HawthornePD, @OBPD, @TorrancePD, @peekskillpolice, @WarrentonPD, @HollyHillPolice, @TyronePolice, @GulfportPolice, @UCPD, @Streetsboropd, @MBTAPoliceTPSA2, @newtownpd, @RemingtonPolice, @OSPolicing, @IACPOfficial, @EppingNHPolice, @PPBPIO, @JuneauPD, @ChesterfieldPD, @bellevuepolice.

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Associations + Websites

Who: @LawEnforceToday
Style: Factual and fun
Followers: 1,482
Sweetest tweet: “I got down on my knees, put her back to my belly and snuggled in tight.” No, this is not a line from some… http://fb.me/AYqn4tIW Fri Jun 18 2010 02:37:43 (Central Daylight Time) via Facebook
Other awesome association/website tweeps: @NationalSheriff, @CopsAlive, @nationalcops, @Discover_Police, @spartancops, @COPSnetwork, @SupportLEOs, @805CrimeBlog, @WBTBPoliceWives, @CrimeinAmerica, @VancityCrimLaw, @PoliceGrantsHlp, @policemuseum, @policerecruit, @puppycops.

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News

Who: @PoliceOne
Style: Informative
Followers: 2,114
Sweetest tweet: Video: NY councilman confronts illegally parked cop at Dunkin’ Donuts – http://bit.ly/cG0plP Thu Jun 17 2010 18:00:05 (Central Daylight Time) via web
Other awesome news tweeps: @CorrectionsOne, @LawOfficerTweet, @apbweb, @police_products, @LAPolicePursuit, @policemag, @crimereports, @correctionsnews, @officercom, @lawscomm.

Who do you follow? Are we missing your favorite? Let us know, and we’ll be sure to add ‘em to the list.