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NYPD Orders Cops To Lower Profile On Facebook And Twitter
By
Lauren Evans
Published Mar 28, 2013
Modified Mar 28, 2013
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Tien Mao / Gothamist
By
Lauren Evans
Published Mar 28, 2013
Modified Mar 28, 2013
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We give cops loaded firearms and unfettered power, but, like small children and particularly dim celebrities, they simply must not be allowed to handle their own social media. A new order handed down from Police Commissioner Ray Kelly tells the department's 35,000 officers, under no uncertain terms, that absolutely NO FUN will be tolerated on Facebook or Twitter as long as they're living under his roof working for the NYPD.
The rule—which, if violated, could result in consequences as dire as termination—prevents cops from posting pictures of themselves in uniform or even “disclosing or alluding to their status as members of the department,” the Daily News reported this morning.
The move isn't just an instance of Kranky Kelly waking up on the wrong side of the bed. Several officers ruined it for everyone by using Facebook to post racist comments and discussing which wine pairs best with braised human.
A police source, who was forced to remove a few photos posted of himself "just smiling in his uniform," tells us he blames the new recruits. "There are guys who are posting pictures on Facebook with their guns showing, and just doing irresponsible things," he said. "There are kids who come on this job who are 20-years old-and don’t understand what responsibility and representation means."
On the other hand: "We are free human beings, and we should be able to express ourselves freely," he said. "But we took this oath, and this is the job we signed up for." He added that if your LiveJournal really means that much to you, you may want to find a different profession. "That expressive human side to you may be better off if you're not a police officer."
Of course, they're not having any of this over on the cop message board NYPD Rant. Here's a taste from one ranter:
Years ago the only way one could respond to the incompetency and stupidity of politicians and appointed bureaucratic buffoons was a Letter to the Editor, which for the most part was never published. The Internet changed that; the politicians and their lap dogs are scared to death of the Internet and sites like Thee Rant etc. They're mostly concerned as to how we portray them, as the bums they are, and less about any comments on the Savage Parade and 3rd world swamp dwellers etc!
With message boards like these, who needs social media?!
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