Policy Text
Policy
220Fremont Police Department
Social Media Communication
220.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
In an effort to engage and reach a broader community audience, the Fremont Police Department
endorses the secure use of social media to enhance communication, collaboration, and
information exchange; streamline processes; increase transparency; and foster productivity. The
landscape of the internet is in a rapid climate of change, and more community members are
choosing to obtain information online than ever before.
The purpose of this policy is to establish the Department's position on the utility and management
of social media and to provide guidance on its management, administration, and oversight. The
Fremont Police Department has an overriding interest and expectation in deciding what is "spoken"
on behalf of the department on social media sites. This policy is not meant to address one particular
form of social media, rather, social media in general, as advances in technology will occur and new
tools will emerge. In addition, this policy does not address the policies and guidelines for personal
use of social media by department personnel. As such, protocol is outlined in Police Manual §
1058 (Employee Speech, Expression and Social Networking).
220.2 OBJECTIVES FOR USE OF SOCIAL MEDIA
Social media provides a new and potentially valuable means of assisting the department and
its personnel in meeting community outreach, problem-solving, investigation of crimes, crime
prevention, and related objectives. This policy identifies potential uses that may be explored
or expanded upon as deemed reasonable by administrative and supervisory personnel. The
Department has defined the following objectives for the use of social media.
(a)To generate awareness, build relationships and enhance community engagement
(b)To further include the community in our organizational decision making process
(c)To create a method of communicating public safety information that requires some
type of action or response on the part of our citizens
(d)To communicate in a professional and concise manner reflective of the culture and
demeanor of our department
(e)To provide the community with a realistic understanding of the level of criminality in
our city and collectively have an impact on crime
(f)To insure enhanced transparency of the Department and our operations
220.3 DEFINITIONS
Blog - A self-published diary or commentary on a particular topic that may allow visitors to post
responses, reactions, or comments. The term is short for "Web log."
Page - The specific portion of a social media website where content is displayed, and managed
by an individual or individuals with administrator rights.
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Social Media Communication
Post - Content an individual shares on a social media site or the act of publishing content on a site.
Profile - Information that a user provides about himself or herself on a social networking site.
Social Media - A category of Internet-based resources that integrate user-generated content
and user participation. This includes, but is not limited to, social networking sites (Facebook,
MySpace), microblogging sites (Twitter, Nixle), photo- and video-sharing sites (Flickr, YouTube),
wikis (Wikipedia), blogs, RSS feed and news sites (Digg, Reddit).
Social Networks - Online platforms where users can create profiles, share information, and
socialize with others using a range of technologies.
Speech - Expression or communication of thoughts or opinions in spoken words, in writing, by
expressive conduct, symbolism, photographs, videotape, or related forms of communication.
Web 2.0 - The second generation of the World Wide Web focused on shareable, user-generated
content, rather than static web pages. Some use this term interchangeably with social media.
Wiki - Web page(s) that can be edited collaboratively.
220.4 DEPARTMENT-SANCTIONED PRESENCE
(a)All Fremont Police Department social media sites posted are subject to approval by
the Chief of Police and shall be administered by the departmental Public Information
Officer (PIO) and/or Public Affairs Manager, or as otherwise determined.
(b)The department's website ( www.fremontpolice.org ) will remain the primary and
predominant internet presence.
(c)Strategy for use
1.Each social media page should include an introductory statement that clearly
specifies the purpose and scope of the agency's presence on the website.
2.The page(s) should link to the department's official website.
3.Social media page(s) should be designed for the target audience(s) such as
community at large, youth or potential police recruits.
(d)Procedures
1.Social media pages should clearly indicate they are maintained by the
department and shall have department contact information prominently
displayed.
2.Social media content should adhere to applicable laws, regulations, and policies,
including all information technology and records management policies.
(a)Content is subject to public records laws. Relevant records retention
schedules apply to social media content.
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Social Media Communication
(b)Content must be managed, stored, and retrieved to comply with open
records laws and e-discovery laws and policies.
3.Social media pages should state that the opinions expressed by visitors to the
page(s) do not reflect the opinions of the department.
(a)Pages should clearly indicate that posted comments will be monitored
and that the department reserves the right to remove obscenities, off-topic
comments, and personal attacks.
(b)Pages should clearly indicate that any content posted or submitted for
posting is subject to public disclosure.
220.5