Police Policy On Social Media/Networking Approved

By Andrew Gorosko

Police Commission members have approved a policy on the proper use of social media on the Internet by police officers and police department employees.

Commission members approved the four-page policy following discussion among themselves at a June 8 session. The policy concerns the use of social media such as Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, LinkedIn, Foursquare, Gowalla, Police Pulse, The Squad Room, Usenet groups, online forums, photo and data sharing sites, message boards, bulletin boards, blogs, and others.

The stated purpose of the policy is to outline the police department’s expectations of police officers and police department employees regarding their use of social media and social networking, in view of the direct effect that such usage has on the reputation and the perception of the police department.

The policy states that police department members shall not use social media in any way that would tarnish the department’s reputation.

“Any online actions taken that detract from the mission of the department, or reflect negatively on their position as a peace officer, will be viewed as direct violation of this policy,” according to the policy.

Under the policy, police are prohibited from using police department-owned computers, cellphones, or electronic devices for social media or social networking purposes unless they receive permission to do so for investigative or public information purposes. Also, police are prohibited from using social media/networking platforms while they are on duty, unless they receive permission to do so for investigative or public information purposes.

Also, unless permission is granted, police are prohibited from posting on social media/networking websites information including: data, text, photos, audio, video, or multimedia files concerning any current or past investigation or action by the police department; logos, badges, seals, uniforms, vehicles, or equipment affiliated with the police department; items, symbols, wordings, numbers, likenesses, or material that is identifiable to the police department; and any data, text, photos, audio, video, or multimedia file that is related to any occurrence in the police department.

Police who participate in social media/networking while off duty also have restrictions placed on them.

Unless they have permission, they may not identify themselves as police department employees.

Also, officers/employees will be held responsible for the content that appears on their personal social media/networking sites and will be obligated to remove any posting or material contributed by others that identifies the officer/employee as an employee of the police department or that reflects negatively on the police department.

Sexually graphic or explicit material shall not be posted by police on their social media/networking sites, according to the policy. Also, any such content posted by others to an officer’s personal website shall be immediately removed by the officer, it adds.

Weaponry owned by the police department or personally owned by the officers shall not be displayed or referenced on websites, if such depictions are intended to promote or glorify violence, the policy adds.

Also, website content that expresses an officer’s views on the public, or on the legal, judicial, and criminal justice systems shall not undermine the public’s trust and confidence in the police department, according to the policy.

Unless permission is granted, police shall not use their police rank and/or title on social media/networking sites.

Also, police officers who are brought under internal investigation concerning their performance or concerning the police department’s operation, productivity, efficiency, morale, or reputation may be ordered to provide the investigator with access to the officer’s social media/networking platforms.

People seeking employment at the police department shall be required to provide background investigators with access to their social media/networking platforms.

Police who violate police department policies are subject to a system of progressive internal discipline.

At the June 8 Police Commission session, police Captain Joe Rios told commission members that the social media/networking policy was created to keep up with changing times, to seek accountability for actions, and to give the police a frame of reference.

Capt Rios said that Police Chief Michael Kehoe used information provided by the International Association of Chiefs of Police as a basis for the policy.

Commission Chairman Duane Giannini said the policy a good, well written document.

(A copy of the policy is attached to the online version of this story at NewtownBee.com.)