MATTHEW Grove has defended police officers' use of social network site Twitter following recent criticism from sections of the public.
The region's police and crime commissioner says tweeting has become an important part of modern policing.
Police constables and PCSOs can often be seen using the internet to relay information about road accidents or appeals during their working shift.
Mr Grove told the Mail: "I can assure people that no police officer is wasting time.
"In fact, relaying information on the internet has become a really important part of modern- day policing.
"It is vital Humberside Police builds an online profile.
"Our role, as well as beating crime, is to be visible to the public as much as possible and get them involved in the appeals for information and more.
"To do that, we have to go to where people are and so many people nowadays are on their mobile phones and using the internet to access all the information they need. So tweeting is practical.
"Officers are on the beat and tweeting at the same time."
But with some officers tweeting more than 20 times a day, some say the online activity could "distract" the force from preventing crime.
Amy Wilson, of Bransholme, said: "I am worried by the amount of tweets that police officers are doing.
"It surprises me they have the time to be doing anything online when at work. They should be on the beat more often and stopping crime.
"It just doesn't give a good impression when officers take days to come and see you about something but have spent the previous few days all over Twitter."
Deputy police and crime commissioner Paul Robinson said: "In reality, it takes just a few seconds to type and send a tweet – so there is no time wasted at all.
"Our police officers are committed to getting important messages out in the public domain as quickly as possible.
"The quicker people see an appeal for information on their Twitter feed, Facebook feed or whatever it is, the quicker the force can get information and start to solve investigations."
Both Mr Grove and Mr Robinson use Twitter and have more than 4,000 followers between them.
Louise Smith, manager at North Point Centre in Bransholme, said: "So long as officers' professional accounts are kept professional and work-related I think tweeting is a great way of interacting with people.
"No police officer can possibly go out and see everyone, so tweeting information is a good idea.
"But when they start tweeting about walking their dog or what they had for dinner, that is when it becomes a problem. I think most people lose interest then."
