Broward Sheriff's Social Media Policy PDF

SHERIFF’S POLICY MANUAL 15.8 SOCIAL MEDIA/SOCIAL NETWORKING POLICY 15.8.1 Purpose: To provide guidelines to Broward Sheriff’s Office employees on the use of social media and social networking. 15.8.2 Definitions: A. Social Media: A variety of online sources tha...

SHERIFF’S POLICY MANUAL 15.8 SOCIAL MEDIA/SOCIAL NETWORKING POLICY 15.8.1 Purpose: To provide guidelines to Broward Sheriff’s Office employees on the use of social media and social networking. 15.8.2 Definitions: A. Social Media: A variety of online sources that allow people to communicate, share information, photos, videos, audio or exchange text and other multimedia files with others via online or cellular network platform. This includes but is not limited to social networking sites, micro-blogging sites, personal blogs/personal websites, and news sites. B. Social Networking: Online platforms where users can network, socialize, communicate and exchange information with other users via text, live conferencing/chat rooms, photographs and/or video-tapes. Mobile Social Networking refers to social networking using a mobile phone or cellular based device. C. Blogs: A personal online journal or commentary that allows visitors to post opinions, responses, reactions, or comments to a particular topic and may allow the use of graphics or video. Blogs may be private or accessible to the general public. D. Website/Webpage: A webpage is any page you see when accessing the internet. A website is a collection of one or more web pages. E. Posting: Typing a message, uploading graphics/videos or any electronic media to an online forum or newsgroup which may be accessible to specific viewers or the general public. F. Personal Website: An online site created by an individual that may include personal information, commentary, photographs, videos and/or graphics for social, entertainment or business purposes. Personal websites may be private or accessible to general public. G. Profile: A self-defined description of a person which can be displayed on a webpage or a social networking site, and may display any or all of the following biographical information: age, race, sex, employment, education, religion, political viewpoints, the user’s likes and dislikes, current location, hometown, and contact information. Profiles may be private or accessible to the general public. 15.8 09/27/2012  SHERIFF’S POLICY MANUAL H. Chat Rooms: An online gathering where users can communicate with each other and exchange information via instant messaging and the information is visible to all people in the chat room. Chat Rooms may be private or accessible to the general public. 15.8.3 Policy: A. The Broward Sheriff's Office recognizes the employee’s right to participate in social networking/social media sites or maintain personal web pages, blogs or other types of online platforms while off-duty. However, it is strongly recommended employees use caution in their usage of social media/social networking platforms especially when displaying personal profiles so as not to discredit themselves or the agency. B. Development of an individual departmental networking site representing BSO or any district/division/unit, etc. is prohibited unless approved by the Sheriff or designee. Postings must be approved by the appropriate Department Executive Director or designee and sent to the Department of Community Services for final approval. No postings will be permitted without the final approval of the Department of Community Services Executive Director or designee. C. Employees will not use social media/social networking platforms in violation of BSO’s “Standards of Conduct,” State or Federal law. D. Employees are prohibited from using any social media or social networking platform while on duty unless supervisory permission is granted for investigative or public information purposes. E. Employees are prohibited from disseminating content that is inconsistent with the duties, conduct and responsibilities of a Broward Sheriff’s Office employee including content that could be reasonably interpreted as having an adverse affect upon department morale, discipline, operations, safety of staff, or perception of the public. For example, unprofessional, unbecoming, illegal, unethical, sexual, violent, harassing, racist, sexist, or ethnically derogatory comments, pictures, artwork, videos, material or other such references all tend to undermine the public trust and confidence required by employees of the Broward Sheriff's Office. F. Unless authorized by the Sheriff or designee, employees are prohibited from posting any confidential, sensitive, or copyrighted information, data, text, photographs, audio, video, or any other multimedia file related to any on-going criminal or administrative investigation of this agency. This includes but is not 15.8 09/27/2012  SHERIFF’S POLICY MANUAL limited to: photographing or video-taping of suspects, crime scenes, traffic crashes, medical/trauma patients, arrestees, evidence, restricted areas of agency facilities, vehicles, other employees, and statements or comments related to any pending prosecutions or investigations. G. Employees shall exercise good judgment in displaying logos, badges, seals, uniforms, vehicles, equipment, or any item or symbol that is associated with this agency. H. Employees who are or may reasonably be expected to work in undercover operations shall not post any form of visual or personal identification as an employee of this agency. I. Employees who choose to maintain or participate in social media or social networking platforms while off-duty shall conduct themselves with professionalism and in such a manner that will not reflect negatively upon this agency or its mission. While using social media off duty or in an unofficial capacity, employees are prohibited from speaking or writing in an official capacity, or from representing that they are acting on behalf of the Broward Sheriff’s Office or the Sheriff. Employees are cautioned that speech on-or-off duty, made pursuant to their official duties, generally is not protected speech under the First Amendment and may be subject to disciplinary action if in violation of BSO’s “Standards of Conduct” or any other applicable sections of the Sheriff’s Policy Manual. 1. Employees should be aware that the content of social networking sites may be subpoenaed and used to undermine or impeach employee’s testimony in a civil or criminal trial or other official proceeding. 2. Failure to comply with the above guidelines may result in discipline up to and including termination. Authorized exceptions to the above guidelines may be permitted by the Sheriff or designee for the operational needs of the department. Employees are strongly encouraged to use caution and seek the guidance of their supervisors regarding any posting that may adversely reflect upon either the agency or upon the professionalism and integrity of the employee. 15.8 09/27/2012