Policy Text
CATEGORY DATE ADOPTED LAST REVIEW NEXT REVIEW
4 07/11/2012 08/01/201 8 08/01/20 20
TUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES
AD300 - Social Media Protocol 1 AD300 SOCIAL MEDIA PROTOCOL
AD300. 1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
The Tustin Police Department has a business need to augment its traditional communication
methods with the use of social media channels. The department is committed to finding new
ways to meet the needs of the Tustin community and to meet the public deman d for the expanded
use of social media by other governmental agencies, businesses and residents.
Although beneficial, the use of social media presents a potential risk. This protocol establishes
department -wide social media guidelines, intended to miti gate associated risks and guide all
Tustin Police Department social media usage.
AD300. 1.2 ACCREDITATION STANDARDS
This Procedure pertains to the following CALEA Standards: 54.1.1
This Procedure pertains to the following General Orders: 1058
AD30 0.2 APPLICABILITY: BUSINESS USE
This protocol applies to all police department employees, approved volunteers, consultants,
service providers, contractors and others who use social media sites and/or technology on behalf
of the department.
AD300. 3 RESPONSIBILITY
At the direction of the Chief of Police, the Department’s IT Liaison is responsible for overseeing
and implementing the Social Media Protocol in compliance with any and all City policies.
AD300.4 GENERAL POLICY
A. Only those police department employees, volunteers, consultants, service providers,
contractors and others, who are authorized to use social media technology on behalf of
the Tustin Police Department may create, edit, revise, or otherwise be responsible fo r the
content and upkeep of any social media sites. Authorization to use social media
technology must first be obtained through the Chief of Police or his/her designee.
B. Any and all social media activities on behalf of the Tustin Police Department must be in
compliance with the provisions of General Order 1058 – Employee speech, expression
and social networking, the City of Tustin Personnel Rules and must:
a. Directly pertain to Tustin Police Department business and activities;
CATEGORY DATE ADOPTED LAST REVIEW NEXT REVIEW
4 07/11/2012 08/01/201 8 08/01/20 20
TUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES
AD300 - Social Media Protocol 2 b. Contain information that is freely available to the public and that is not made
confidential by any policy of the City, or by local, state, or federal law;
c. Not contain any personal information except the names of employees whose job
duties include being available for contact by the p ublic;
d. Exercise caution when posting photos of anyone who can be identified, other than
the employee who is conducting the posting. If an employee objects to his/her
photo being posted on a social media site, the photo will be taken down as soon
as practi cable;
e. Not include content that is contrary or detrimental to the Tustin Police Department’s
mission, vision and values;
f. Not advocate or promote the sale or use of tobacco, alcohol, controlled
substances, firearms or weapons;
g. Not contain pornography, obsc enity, indecency, or other material offensive to
prevailing community standards or persons of ordinary sensibilities;
h. Not promote adult -oriented businesses;
i. Not contain religious messages or advocate or promote religious beliefs;
j. Not contain content in sup port of, or in opposition to any political candidate or ballot
measure, nor advocate the campaign nor the campaign or fundraising websites of
candidates for political office (elected or appointed) ;
k. Not comment on actual or potential legal claims, lawsuits or other legal issues;
l. Not comment on personnel matters;
m. Not comment about budget planning and priorities;
n. Not comment on any criminal investigation without the approval of the Special
Operations Commander or his/her designee.
o. However, posts that announce functions or events officially sponsored or
conducted by the Tustin Police Department are permitted and encouraged.
C. In general, the Tustin Police Department’s social media activities shall entail
communications directed to members of the public and will a llow comments or feedback
from the public. The key to maximizing the benefits of interactivity, while recognizing every
person's free speech rights, is to provide useful guidance to pe rsons wishing to post
responses . The following guidelines apply to desi gnated members of the Department’s
Social Media Team :
a. The Department’s Social Media Team will be comprised of both sworn and civilian,
who have been designated by the Department I.T. Liaison to add, delete and
modify content on all Tustin Police Departme nt social media outlets.
b. The police department reserves the right to restrict or remove any content that is
deemed in violation of this Social Media Protocol, TPD General Order 1058 or any
other applicable law;
c. Members of the Social Media Team shall review the various sites at least on a
weekly basis to determine compliance with this Social Media Protocol.
D. The specific social media technology must be approved in advance by the Chief of Police
or his/her designee.
CATEGORY DATE ADOPTED LAST REVIEW NEXT REVIEW
4 07/11/2012 08/01/201 8 08/01/20 20
TUST