Policy Text
Policy Delano Police Department
1027 Delano PD Policy Manual
Employee Speech, Expression and Social
Networking
1027.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
This policy is intended to address issues associated with employee use of social networking sites
and to provide guidelines for the regulation and balancing of employee speech and expression
with the needs of the Department.
Nothing in this policy is intended to prohibit or infringe upon any communication, speech or
expression that is protected or privileged under law. This includes speech and expression
protected under state or federal constitutions as well as labor or other applicable laws. For
example, this policy does not limit an employee from speaking as a private citizen, including acting
as an authorized member of a recognized bargaining unit or officer associations, about matters
of public concern, such as misconduct or corruption.
Employees are encouraged to consult with their supervisor regarding any questions arising from
the application or potential application of this policy.
1027.1.1 APPLICABILITY
This policy applies to all forms of communication including but not limited to film, video, print
media, public or private speech, use of all internet services, including the World Wide Web, e-
mail, file transfer, remote computer access, news services, social networking, social media, instant
messaging, blogs, forums, video, and other file-sharing sites.
1027.2 POLICY
Public employees occupy a trusted position in the community, and thus, their statements have the
potential to contravene the policies and performance of this department. Due to the nature of the
work and influence associated with the law enforcement profession, it is necessary that employees
of this department be subject to certain reasonable limitations on their speech and expression. To
achieve its mission and efficiently provide service to the public, the Delano Police Department will
carefully balance the individual employee’s rights against the Department’s needs and interests
when exercising a reasonable degree of control over its employees’ speech and expression.
1027.3 SAFETY
Employees should consider carefully the implications of their speech or any other form of
expression when using the internet. Speech and expression that may negatively affect the safety
of the Delano Police Department employees, such as posting personal information in a public
forum, can result in compromising an employee’s home address or family ties. Employees should
therefore not disseminate or post any information on any forum or medium that could reasonably
be anticipated to compromise the safety of any employee, an employee's family, or associates.
Examples of the type of information that could reasonably be expected to compromise safety
include:
Employee Speech, Expression and Social
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Published with permission by Delano Police Department Networking - 1