4/103.27 Social Media

Question 1

Personal use precautions (social media)

Answer 1

1. Free to express themselves as private citizens as long as speech does not impair working relationships, impede the performance of duties, impair discipline or harmony among coworkers, or negatively affect the public image of the department
2. If speech is detrimental to the department it is not protected under the first amendment, and may form the basis for discipline
3. Cautioned not to disclose their position as an officer for safety and security reasons
4. Once a photo is posted, it can never be purged out of existence

Question 2

Personal use prohibitions (social media)

Answer 2

1. Shall not access while on duty
2. Shall not post or disseminate information to which they have access as a result of their employment
3. Adherence to the departments code of conduct is required
4. May not divulge information gained by their authority, or make statements that can be considered to represent the views of the department
5. May be subject to civil litigation for
   - posting false information that harms the reputation of others
   - posting private facts of another without their permission
   - Using someone else’s name or attributes for an exploitive

Question 3

Department sanctioned use (social media)

Answer 3

Department members representing the department via social media outlets shall:
1. Conduct themselves at all times as a representative of LVMPD, and shall adhere to all department standards of conduct and observe conventionally accepted protocols and proper decorum

2. Identify themselves as a member of the department
3. Not make statements about any suspect or arrestee, or comments about pending prosecutions, or disseminate any confidential information (ex. photographs, videos, department training, or work-related assignments) without express written permission