Policy Text
Page 1 of 6 10/ 15 (New 10/16)
Social Media
The purpose of this Order is to e stablish the Department’s posi tion on the use of social
media. I. Purpose
A. This policy is not meant to address one particular social me dia platform,
rather the exchange or posting of any information involving com munities
or networks. This policy is i ntended to address the Department ’s
management of its social media c ontent and to provide guideline s for the
balancing of employee and public s peech with the legitimate nee ds of the
Department. Nothing in this po licy is intended to prohibit or infringe upon
any employee, or public speech, that has been clearly establish ed as
privileged. This includes speec h and expression protected unde r state or
federal constitutions as well as labor or other applicable laws . This policy
does not limit an employee from s peaking as a private citizen, including
acting as an authorized board mem ber of a recognized bargaining
unit or association, about matters of public concern, such as misconduct
or corruption.
II. Policy
A. The policy of the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department is to use social
media to disseminate timely pub lic safety information, provide customer
service, and require employees utilize social media in a manner that
conforms with current laws and po licy, as well as the Departmen t’s Vision,
Mission, and Values.
III. Department Sanctioned Use of Social Media
A. Departmental Oversight
1. Administration of Official Department Accounts a. The Sheriff or his/her design ee shall approve all Departmen t
social media accounts. b. Community Relations Uni t staff will be the official
coordinator of all official Department accounts.
Page 2 of 6 10/ 15 (New 10/16) (1) The Public Information Officer reserves the authority
t o deny or modify any post or comment.
2. The express and lim ited purpose of departmentally controlled social
media accounts is disseminating timely public safety informatio n
and customer service oriented inte raction with the community. The
departmentally controlled social m edia accounts will be used to
enhance the delivery of customer service through interactive
discourse with community mem bers. The Department will not
modify any public comment solely because of its content or viewpoint. However, the Departm ent may modify public comments
to ensure they are material to the topic of the post initiated by the
Department, civil in tone, and appr opriate for the broad range of
citizens who may view them.
a. Social media accounts sha ll clearly indicate that they are
maintained by the Department and shall have the Department contact information prominently displayed. b. Where possible, each social media account should include
an introductory statement that c learly specifies the purpose
and scope of the Department’s p resence on the website.
c. Where possible, the account(s) should link to the
Department’s official website.
d. Social media accounts s hould state that the opinions
expressed by visitors do no t represent the opinions of the
Department.
(1) Accounts shall clearly i ndicate that any content
posted or submitted for pos ting may be monitored and
may be subject to public disclosure.
3. Official Use by the Community Relations Unit and Media Offi ce
a. The Community Relations Unit or Media Office shall:
(1) Identify themselves as a member of the Sheriff’s
D epartment.
(2) Conduct themselves at all times as professional
r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s o f the Department and, accordingly
s h a l l a d h e r e t o a l l departmental standards of conduct
and observe conventionally accepted protocols and
p r oper decorum.
Page 3 of 6 10/ 15 (New 10/16) (3) The Community Relati ons Unit and/or Media Office
s h a l l u s e d u e d i l i gence to cite and correct factual
e r r o r s v i a s u b s equent notation.
b. The Community Relations U nit or Media Office shall not use
social media accounts to:
(1) Make statements regard ing the guilt or innocence of
any suspect or arrestee.
(2) Comment on enfor cement action, pending
i n v e s t i g a t i o n s o r p r o s e c u t i o n s , c r i m i n a l m a t t e r s , o r c a l l s f o r s e r v i c e w i t h o u t approval from the Sheriff or
h i s / h e r d e s i gnee.
(3) Post, transmit or dissemi nate confidential information
o r a n y o t h e r i n f o r m a t i o n d e e m e d l a w e n f o r c e m e n t s e n s i t i v e w i t hout permission of the Sheriff or his or
her designee.
(4) Conduct political activities or private business. c. Personnel repres enting the Department v ia social accounts
shall utilize Departmen t computers or devices.
4. Department Oversight of Clo sely-Related Social Media
a. On a case