Policy Text
Policy
341San Luis Obispo Police Department
San Luis Obispo PD CA Policy Manual
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2025/05/29, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by San Luis Obispo Police
DepartmentDepartment Use of Social Media - 1Department Use of Social Media
341.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
This policy provides guidelines to ensure that any use of social media on behalf of the Department
is consistent with the department mission.
This policy does not address all aspects of social media use. Specifically, it does not address:
•Personal use of social media by department members (see the Employee Speech,
Expression and Social Networking Policy).
•Use of social media in personnel processes (see the Recruitment and Selection
Policy).
•Use of social media as part of a criminal investigation, other than disseminating
information to the public on behalf of this department (see the Investigation and
Prosecution Policy).
341.1.1 DEFINITIONS
Definitions related to this policy include:
Social media - Any of a wide array of internet-based tools and platforms that allow for the sharing
of information, such as the department website or social networking services
341.2 POLICY
The San Luis Obispo Police Department may use social media as a method of effectively informing
the public about department services, issues, investigations and other relevant events. It is the
goal to create positive community engagement through the effective and appropriate use of social
media.
Department members shall ensure that the use or access of social media is done in a manner
that protects the constitutional rights of all.
341.3 AUTHORIZED USERS
Only members authorized by the Chief of Police or the authorized designee may utilize social
media on behalf of the Department. Authorized members shall use only department-approved
equipment during the normal course of duties to post and monitor department-related social media,
unless they are specifically authorized to do otherwise by their supervisors.
The Chief of Police may develop specific guidelines identifying the type of content that may be
posted. Any content that does not strictly conform to the guidelines should be approved by a
supervisor prior to posting.
Requests to post information over department social media by members who are not authorized
to post should be made through the member’s chain of command.
San Luis Obispo Police Department
San Luis Obispo PD CA Policy Manual
Department Use of Social Media
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2025/05/29, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by San Luis Obispo Police
DepartmentDepartment Use of Social Media - 2341.4 AUTHORIZED CONTENT
Only content that is appropriate for public release, that supports the department mission and that
conforms to all department policies regarding the release of information may be posted.
Examples of appropriate content include:
(a)Announcements.
(b)Tips and information related to crime prevention.
(c)Investigative requests for information.
(d)Requests that ask the community to engage in projects that are relevant to the
department mission.
(e)Real-time safety information that is related to in-progress crimes, geographical
warnings, or disaster information.
(f)Traffic information.
(g)Media releases.
(h)Recruitment of personnel.
Authorized members shall review all content prior to posting to ensure that the posting does not
contain prohibited content.
341.4.1 INCIDENT-SPECIFIC USE
In instances of active incidents where speed, accuracy and frequent updates are paramount
(e.g., crime alerts, public safety information, traffic issues), the Public Information Officer or the
authorized designee will be responsible for the compilation of information to be released, subject
to the approval of the Incident Commander.
341.5 PROHIBITED CONTENT
Content that is prohibited from posting includes, but is not limited to:
(a)Content that is abusive, discriminatory, inflammatory or sexually explicit.
(b)Any information that violates individual rights, including confidentiality and/or privacy
rights and those provided under state, federal or local laws.
(c)Any information that could compromise an ongoing investigation.
(d)Any information that could tend to compromise or damage the mission, function,
reputation or professionalism of the San Luis Obispo Police Department or its
members.
(e)Any information that could compromise the safety and security of department
operations, members of the Department, victims, suspects or the public.
(f)Any content posted for personal use.
(g)Any content that has not been properly authorized by this policy or a supervisor.
San Luis Obispo Police Department
San Luis Obispo PD CA Policy Manual
Department Use of Social Media
Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2025/05/29, All Rights Reserved.
Published with permission by San Luis Obispo Police
DepartmentDepartment Use of Social Media - 3Any member who becomes aware of content on this department’s social media site that he/she
believes is unauthorized or inappropriate should promptly report such content to a supervisor. The
supervisor will ensure its removal from public view and investigate the cause of the entry.
341.5.1 PUBLIC POSTING PROHIBITED
Department social media sites shall be designed and maintained to prevent posting of content
by the public.
The Department may provide a method for members of the public to contact department members
directly.
341.6 MONITORING CONTENT
The Chief of Police will appoint a supervisor to review, at least annually, the use of department
social media and report back on, at a minimum, the resources being used, the effectiveness of
the content, any unauthorized or inappropriate content, and the resolution of any issues. The
same supervisor should review the department social media on a quarterly basis for any posted
prohibited content and remove the same upon discovery.
341.7 RETENTION OF RECORDS
The Administration Division Chief should work with the Custodian of Records to establish a method