Valparaiso Police Department General Orders

Flashcards about Valparaiso Police Department General Orders

Record Management

All disciplinary actions shall be documented and forwarded to the Chief of Police through the chain of command.

Permanent Record

Conclusions of discharge, demotion and suspension will be made a permanent part of the member's file.

Removal of Reprimands

Documentation of oral and written reprimands will remain in the member's disciplinary file as long as inappropriate behavior continues or the member has not formally requested the documentation removed after one year has passed since the reprimand was issued and no further evidence exists of continued inappropriate behavior

Social Media Policy Purpose

To enhance communication, collaboration, and information exchange; streamline processes; and foster productivity.

Blog

A self-published diary or commentary on a particular topic that may allow visitors to post responses, reactions, or comments.

Post

Content an individual shares on a social media site or the act of publishing content on a site.

Social Media

A category of Internet-based resources that integrate user-generated content and user participation.

Web 2.0

The second generation of the World Wide Web focused on shareable, user-generated content, rather than static web pages.

Department-Sanctioned Presence on Social Media

Each social media page shall include an introductory statement that clearly specifies the purpose and scope of the agency's presence on the website and link to the department's official website

Social Media Content

Social media content shall adhere to applicable laws, regulations, and policies, including all information technology and records management policies.

Social Media Conduct

Department personnel representing the department via social media outlets shall conduct themselves at all times as representatives of the department and, accordingly, shall adhere to all department standards of conduct and observe conventionally accepted protocols and proper decorum.

Prohibited Social Media Activities

Not make statements about the guilt or innocence of any suspect or arrestee, or comments concerning pending prosecutions, nor post, transmit, or otherwise disseminate confidential information, including photographs or videos, related to department training, activities, or work-related assignments without express written permission. Not conduct political activities or private business

Potential Uses of Social Media

Investigative tool when seeking evidence or information about missing persons; wanted persons; gang participation; crimes perpetrated online (i.e., cyberbullying, cyberstalking); and photos or videos of a crime posted by a participant or observer, community outreach and engagement, time-sensitive notifications

Personal Use of Social Media

Department personnel are free to express themselves as private citizens on social media sites to the degree that their speech does not impair working relationships of this department for which loyalty and confidentiality are important, impede the performance of duties, impair discipline and harmony among coworkers, or negatively affect the public perception of the department.

Prohibited Actions

Department personnel shall not post, transmit, or otherwise disseminate any information to which they have access as a result of their employment without written permission from the chief executive or his or her designee.