Policy Text
GO 513 Department And Personal Social Media Use Page 1 of 8 Rev. 09/28/22
GENERAL ORDER
513 DEPARTMENT AND PERSONAL SOCIAL MEDIA USE
REVISION DATE:09/28/2022
BY ORDER OF THE CHIEF OF POLICE
SUNNY ISLES BEACH
POLICE DEPARTMENT ORIGINAL EFFECTIVE DATE: 09/28/22
PREVIOUS REVISIONS:
RESCINDS: All previously issued directives REFERENCE : 1.06,32.05
TABLE OF CONTENTS
A. PURPOSE .......................................................................................................................... 1
B. SCOPE ............................................................................................................................... 1
C. POLICY ............................................................................................................................. 1
D. DEFINITIONS .................................................................................................................. 2
E. PROCEDURES ................................................................................................................. 3
F. DEPARTMENT MANAGED SOCIAL MEDIA ........................................................... 3
G. POTENTIAL USES OF DEPARTMENT MANAGED SOCIAL MEDIA ................. 4
H. PERSONAL USE .............................................................................................................. 5
I. ADMINISTRATIVE OR INTERNAL AFFAIRS INVESTIGATIONS ..................... 7
J. RECOMMENDED SOCIAL MEDIA PRECAUTIONS .............................................. 7
K. REPORTING VIOLATIONS .......................................................................................... 8
A. PURPOSE
The purpose of this directive is to endorse the use of social media to enhance communication, collaboration, and
information exchange; streamline processes; and foster productivity. This directive establishes the Department's
position on the usage of social media and provides guidance on its management, administration, and oversight.
B. SCOPE
This directive is applicable to all members of the Department.
C. POLICY
Social media provides a valuable means of assisting the Department and its members in community outreach,
problem-solving, investigations, crime prevention, and related objectives. This policy identifies potential uses that
may be explored or expanded upon as deemed necessary by administrative and supervisory personnel. The
Department also recognizes the role that these tools play in the personal lives of some members. The personal use
of social media can have bearing on members in their official capacity. As such, this directive provides information
of a precautionary nature as well as prohibitions on the use of social media by members.
DEPARTMENT AND PERSONAL SOCIAL MEDIA USE
General Order 513
GO 513 Department And Personal Social Media Use Page 2 of 8 Rev. 09/28/22
D. DEFINITIONS
Avatar: A computer user’s representation of himself or an alter ego.
Blog: A personal online journal or commentary that allows visitors to post opinions, responses, reactions, or
comments to a particular topic and may allow the use of graphics or video. Blogs may be private or accessible to
the general public.
Blogging: To read, write, or edit a shared online journal. Blogging can also encompass the act of commenting and
engaging with other commenters on any blog, including one operated by a third party.
Chat Rooms: An online gathering where users can communicate with each other and exchange information via
instant messaging and the information is visible to all people in the chat room. Chat Rooms may be private or
accessible to the general public.
Mobile Social Networking: Social networking and texting using a mobile phone, computer, or other cellular based
device.
Page: The specific portion of a social media website where content is displayed and managed by an individual or
individuals with administrator rights.
Personal Website: An online site created by an individual that may include personal information, commentary,
photographs, videos and/or graphics for social, entertainment or business purposes. Personal websites may be
private or accessible to general public.
Post/Posting: Typing a message, uploading graphics/videos or any electronic media to an online forum or
newsgroup which may be accessible to specific viewers or the general public.
Profile: A self-defined description of a person which can be displayed on a webpage or a social networking site,
and may display any or all of the following biographical information: age, race, sex, employment, education,
religion, political viewpoints, the user’s likes and dislikes, current location, hometown, and contact information.
Profiles may be private or accessible to the general public.
Social Media: Any electronic or computerized, “on-line” format or platform that focuses on social networks or
social relations among people and provide a means for users to interact over the internet. Examples of social media
include, but are not limited to: email, text messaging, Facebook ©, Twitter ©, Instagram, on-line forums, dating sites,
chat forums, message boards, and bulletin boards .
Social Networks: Online platforms where users can network, socialize, communicate, and exchange information
with other users via text, live conferencing/chat rooms, photographs, and/or videotapes.
Speech: Expression or communication of thoughts or opinions in spoken words, in writing, by expressive conduct,
symbolism, photographs, videotape, or related forms of communication.
URL: Abbreviation of Uniform Resource Locator, the global address of documents and other resources on the
World Wide Web. For example, http://www.sibfl.net is the URL for the City of Sunny Isles Beach website. It is the
address where the website can be found.
User Name: The name provided by the participant during the registration process associated with a website that
will be displayed publicly on the site.
DEPARTMENT AND PERSONAL SOCIAL MEDIA USE
General Order 513
GO 513 Department And Personal Social Media Use Page 3 of 8 Rev. 09/28/22
Website/Webpage: Any computerized document, file, or menu accessible on the Internet and/or World Wide Web.
Wiki: Web page(s) that can be edited