Miami Beach Police Department updates its policy on social media and social networking

Following last week's revelation that some members of the Miami Beach Police Department used city computers to send hundreds of pornographic and racist emails, Chief Dan Oates today updated his department's policy that governs his officers' use of social media.

In a press release, Oates says, "With today’s new policy, there is no longer any doubt as to what an employee’s obligation is when receiving offensive material, like pornography or racist messages. The obligation is to report the violation immediately, period. The message cannot be clearer. We will not tolerate any offensive emails, texts or social media postings in our Department.”

Turns out the policy that's been in place since 2011 also contains this passage: "Employees shall be aware that comments and statements made through electronic media including, but not limited to, the internet and text messaging are openly public and may be available and preserved for anyone to see in perpetuity."

Really, Chief, you trust these guys with guns and live ammunition, but they still have to be reminded that anything they post on the Internet can be seen by the public ... forever? Wow!

So there you have it, men and women of the MBPD, "If you see something, say something." Better yet, just don't use your city computer to send stupid sh*t!

On a related note, I'd like to take this opportunity to remind members of the Miami-Dade Police Department that the county gas pumps you use to fill up your police vehicles are monitored by surveillance cameras.  You've been warned. Apparently some of you didn't get the message the first time around. 


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Miami Beach PD SOP #145 - Social Media and Networking - Revised 51715 Highlights by Random Pixels blog