Social Media Policy

Question 1

Department members are free to express themselves as private citizens in matters of public concern to the degree tat their speech does not: (4)

Answer 1

a: Impair working relationships of the department for which loyalty and confidentiality are important.
b: Impede the performance of duties.
c: Impair discipline and harmony among co-workers; or,
d: Negatively impact or tend to negatively impact the department’s ability to serve the public.

Question 2

Is speech made, on or off duty, pursuant to official duties protected speech under the First Amendment?

Answer 2

No, and may form the basis for discipline if deemed detrimental to the efficiency of operations of the department.

Question 3

Department members will not post, transmit, or otherwise disseminate any information, documents, photos or videos, to which members have access as a result of employment, without __________ permission form the ________ or ________.

Answer 3

written;
Sheriff;
designee.

Question 4

Department social media sites/pages shall be approved by ________ , or designee, or as otherwise determined and forwarded to _______ for approval and registry.

Answer 4

a Deputy Chief;

the PIO.

Question 5

Department members should be aware that they may be subject to civil litigation for: (4)

Answer 5

a. Publishing or posting false information that harms the reputation of another person, group or organization.(defamation);
b. Publishing or posting private facts and personal information about someone without permission that has not been previously revealed to the public, is not legitimate public concern, and would be offensive to a reasonable person;
c. Using someone else’s name, likeness, or other personal attributes without that person’s permission for an exploitative purpose; or
d. Publishing the creative work of another, trademarks, or certain confidential business information without the permission of the owner.

Question 6

What are the five (5) prohibitions for department members in policy?

Answer 6

1. Shall not access personal social networking sites while on duty.
2. shall not use the department logo, a replica badge or use LVMPD as part of a page, posting, signature or to serve as an embellishment of any statement;

3, speech that ridicules, maligns, disparages, or otherwise promotes discrimination against race, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, disability, political affiliation, gender identity and expression or other explicit class of individuals;

4. Speech or other expression that suggests the person in engaged in behavior reasonable considered to be unlawful or reckless toward public safety;
5. speech as stated in this policy, may negatively affect the department member’s credibility and impair the member’s ability to perform the essential job functions. A department member’s speech is a reflection of character and values. Speech that fundamentally conflicts with the department’s ICARE values negatively affects both the member’s ability and the department’s ability to serve the community.