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Date: 06/23/14 Revision: 08/05/22 Reviewed: 11/08 /23 HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE CHAD CHRONISTER , SHERIFF STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE Number: GEN 119.04 Page : 1 of 3 SUBJECT: OFFICIAL RELEASE OF INFORMATION VIA SOCIAL NETWORKING SITES I. PURPOSE : The purpose of this standard operating procedure is to define the guidelines by which the release of information via social networking sites is governed. This will assist Sheriff's Office employees in determining the proper procedure necessary to release information related to active investigations, traffic -related incidents, or agency sponsored events via social networking sites such as Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter , etc. II. SCOPE : This procedure applies to all Sheriff’s Office personnel and volunteers. III. DISCUSSION : Social media assists in disseminating information to the public and provides a potentially valuable means of assisting the Sheriff’s Office and its personnel in meeting community outreach, problem -solving, investigative, 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 guidelines set forth in this standard operating procedure are designed to provide guidance in the proper steps to follow when releasing information via social networking sites, as well as identifying personnel who are authorized to execute the release. All requirements pertaining to confidentiality and information authorized to be released, as outlined in GEN SOP 119.00, are in effect and should be referenced prior to any release via social networking. This standard operating procedure is not intended to supersede or otherwise override any existing policies governing employee conduct or decorum. IV. DEFINITIONS : A. Blog - A type of website or part of a website. Blogs are usually maintained by an individual with regular entries of commentary, descriptions of events, or other material such as graphics or video. Entries are commonly displayed in reverse chronological order. Blog can also be used as a verb, meanin g to maintain or add content to a blog. B. Information - Any written material, press release, photograph, audio or video recording, and any other source of material utilized to provide public information. C. Internet - A global system of interconnected computer networks that use the standard Internet Protocol Suite (TCP/IP) to serve billions of users worldwide. It is a network of networks that consists of millions of private, public, academic, business, and government networks, of local to global scope, that are linked by a broad array of electronic and optical networking technologies. D. Page - The specific portion of a social media website where content is displayed and managed by an individual or individuals with administrator rights. E. Post - Content an individual shares on a social media site or the act of publishing content on a site. F. Profile - Information that a user provides about himself /herself on a social networking site. GEN 119.04 08/05/22 Page 2 of 3 G. Social Networking Site - A social network service is an online service, platform, or site that focuses on building and reflecting of social networks or social relations among people, i.e., who share interests and/or activities. A social network service essentially consists of a representation of each user (often a profile), his/her social links, and a variety of additional services. Most social network services are web-based and provide means for users to interact over the internet, such as email and instant messaging. H. Wikis - A website that allows the easy creation and editing of any number of interlinked web pages via a web browser using a simplified markup language or a WYSIWYG text editor. Wikis are typically powered by wiki software and are often used to create collaborati ve wiki websites, to power community websites, for personal note taking, in corporate intranets, and in knowledge management systems. V. PROCEDURE : A. All agency social media sites or pages shall be approved by the Sheriff, or designee, and shall be administered jointly by the Public Affairs Office or as otherwise