Police Department Social Media Policy and Early Warning System

Flashcards about police department social media policy and early warning system

Personal Identification Restrictions

Police officers, especially those in undercover operations, should not post personal photographs or identifying information on personal web pages to prevent being identified as a police officer.

Prohibited speech

Department personnel are prohibited from speech containing obscene or sexually explicit language, images, or acts and statements or other forms of speech that ridicule, malign, disparage, or otherwise express bias against any race, any religion, or any protected class of individuals.

Consequences of prohibited speech

Engaging in prohibited speech may undermine an officer's testimony in criminal proceedings and can lead to disciplinary action, including termination.

Unauthorized Representation

Department personnel are not allowed to divulge information, make statements, or publish materials that represent the department's views without express authorization.

Civil Litigation Risks

Department personnel may face civil litigation for defamation, publishing private facts without permission, unauthorized use of personal attributes, or publishing copyrighted material without permission.

Online Information Access

The department can access any information created, transmitted, downloaded, exchanged, or discussed in a public online forum by its personnel without prior notice.

Reporting violations

Any employee who becomes aware of a social media posting or web page violating this policy must notify their supervisor immediately.

Early Warning System (EWS)

A system for early identification of at-risk employees, involving constant monitoring of reports over a 180-day period using Guardian Tracking software.

Supervisor responsibilities in EWS

First and second-level supervisors continually assess employee performance, attitudes, and behaviors using Guardian Tracking software.

Electronic Guardian Tracking file

The employee's immediate supervisor shall maintain the electronic Guardian Tracking file for the duration of their supervision of the employee.

Supervisor Action on Inappropriate Conduct

Supervisors must take appropriate action consistent with Department policy when they observe inappropriate employee conduct or behavior patterns.

EWS Annual Review

The Early Warning System is reviewed annually to evaluate its efficiency, with changes disseminated to Shift Supervisors by the Assistant Chief.

Supervisor's Intervention Plan Responsibilities

The first level supervisor is responsible for implementing the improvement or intervention plan by remediation, reassignment, counseling, or progressive discipline

Command Staff Responsibilities

The Division Commander shall notify the Police Chief upon receipt of a written report requesting intervention then conduct a review of the report submitted, files and Guardian-Tracking entries that involve the employee's conduct and behavior.