Policy Text
DEPARTMENTAL GENERAL ORDER
D-18: MEMBER PERSONAL SOCIAL MEDIA
Effective Date: 14 Sep 22
Coordinator: Office of Chief of Police
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COMMAND INTENT
This policy is intended to provide both guidance and rules about the use of personal
social media by members of the Oakland Police Department. While this policy
provides guidelines for the regulation and balancing of member spee ch and
expression with the needs of the Department, it also addresses a larger need: that the
Department and its staff commit to celebrating the best selves of the members and
their service to the community while at the same time protecting members – with both
guidance and accountability – against some of the pitfalls of social media. The
policy also makes clear that public speech which denigrate s others, advocate s
violence, or promote s harm has no place within the Department, and those who
espouse those views have no place guarding our community .
The community of Oakland expects that all members of the Police Department will
have a “Guardian” mindset when it comes to keeping the peace and to policing in
concert with the community. With this mindset must come a recognition by police
personnel, especially sworn officers , of the serious power with which they are
entrusted. The Department has a commitment to serve and to prevent employee
speech that could reasonably be predicted to disrupt the Department’s mission of
providing law enforcement services with the utmost respect, fairness, sound
judgment, and commitment to equity.
Nothing in this policy is intended to prohibit or infringe upon an y communication,
speech , or expression that is pr otected 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
individual , including acting as an authorize d member of a recognized bargaining unit
or officer associations, about matters of public concern, such as misconduct or
corruption.
A. VALUES AND RULES OF THE OAKLAND POLICE DEPARTMENT
A - 1. Department Mission
The Oakland Police Department’s mission is to provide police service focused
on public safety and the sanctity of life , to hold ourselves accountable to a
high standard of conduct, efficiency , and efficacy, and to promote mutual
respect between the Department and the Communities of Oakland .
A - 2. City of Oakland Administrative Instruction
The City of Oakland sets forth specific anti -discrimination and non -
harassment policy in Administrative Instruction (AI) 71.
AI 71 strictly prohibits any form of unlawful employment discrimination
and/or harassment or other inappropriate conduct based on race, color,
DEPARTMENTAL GENERAL ORDER D-18 Effective Date
OAKLAND POLICE DEPARTMENT 14 Sep 22
Page 2 of 10 religion/religious creed, sex/gender, pregnancy, marital status, age, national
origin/ancestry, physical and/or mental disability, medical condition, sexual
orientation, gender identity, military or veteran status, or status in any other
group protected by federal, state or local law.
Conduct includes not only physical conduct but also verbal conduct (e pithets,
slurs, derogatory or demeaning comments —even if not directed at a specific
person or persons, innuendo, jokes or ridicule, hostile or more severe
treatment based on a person’s protected characteristic or status, threats of
violence or comments indicating stereotyping) and visual conduct (obscene,
derogatory or demeaning images, photos, cartoons, e -mail, screen savers or
drawings).
A - 3. Law Enforcement Code of Ethics
The Department expects that all members, both sworn and professional staff,
will make every effort to adhere to the Department’s codification of the Law
Enforcement Code of Ethics, including the following section:
I will keep my private life unsullied as an example to all and will behave in a
manner that does not bring discredit to me or to my agency. I will maintain
courageous calm in the face of danger, scorn or ridicule; develop self -
restraint; and be constantly mindful of the welfare of others. Honest in
thought and deed both in my personal and official life, I will be exemplary in
obeying the law and the regulations of my department. Whatever I see or hear
of a confidential nature or that is confided to me in my official capacity will
be kept ever secret unless revelation is necessary in the performance of my
duty.
A - 4. Manual of Rules
The Oakland Police Department’s Manual of Rules sets forth specific rules
that members must follow. The following sections are highlighted because
members’ personal social media activity must also comport with these rules
and applicable law :
➢ 314.03 – General Conduct
➢ 314.04 – Conduct Toward Others – Harassment and Discrimination
➢ 384.32 – Political Activ ity
➢ 384.56 – Membership in Organizations
➢ 384.70 – Subversive Organization
B. DEFINITIONS
B - 1. Social Media
A category of internet -based resources that integrate user -generated content
and user participation. Social media includes, but is not limited to, social
networking sites, local / national newspaper / news media comment sections,
DEPARTMENTAL GENERAL