doc_1835967

WINDERMERE POLICE DEPARTMENT GENERAL ORDER Effective Date: October 20, 2022  Rescinds Amends 12.1 (October 5, 2022) Number: 12.1 SUBJECT: Internet & Technology Usage Print Date: 10/ 20/22 Distribution: All Personnel Review Month: October This order consists of the following: 1. Purpose 2. Policy 3. Procedures 1. Purpose It is the intent of the agency to support the use of new technology in the delivery of services to its citizens. The Internet provides access to valuable information and , as such, is deemed to be an appropriate use of technology by agency members. 2. Policy Internet access is provided to members to assist with work -related functions. In addition to this policy , all members shall abide by the Town of Windermere 's Personnel Rules & Regulations (PRR) 8.12, Use of Electronic E -mail , and PRR 8.13, Social Media. 3. Procedures A. Internet use shall be treated with the same degree of propriety, professionalism , and con fidentiality as official written correspondence or public records. B. All messages and Internet sites visited can be retrieved and reviewed from individual devices through access tools resident in the PC or personal devices. Members employed o r representing the agency shall maintain any 12.1, Page 2 right to privacy in the use or content of agency -owned technical equipment. C. The agency encourages authorized and trained personnel to utilize the Internet to investigate and publish agency activities. D. Managers and supervisors must be vigilant to ensure proper use and to maintain member productivity. E. Creating, accessing , or transmitting material that involves obscene language, images, jokes, sexually explicit material , or messages that disparage any rac e, color, religion, sex, national origin , or age is prohibited. Members who receive such material shall immediately report the occurrence to their immediate supervisor. F. If, in the conduct of official agency business, the topics listed in Section (E) are necessary to view through the Internet, then permission must be granted by the immediate supervisor and documented for file. G. Confidential or sensitive information shall not be transmitted via unencrypted electronic messaging, including but not limited to Internet e - mail and instant messaging applications. H. Copy requests from the public or media shall be referred to the Chief. I. Personnel shall observe copyright and license agreements for all software or files downloaded from the Internet. J. Agenc y computers or laptops taken home for official business should be used only by agency members and only for official business . K. Social Media Employees are prohibited from using agency computers or agency cell phones to access social media or social networking sites unless authorized to do so by the nature of their assignment or by permission from their supervisor or higher authority for investigative or public information purposes. [32.05 B] 12.1, Page 3 1. All WPD social media sites will be managed by the Chief of Police or his designee. [32.05 A] 2. The content of WPD's social media pages is subject to Florida's Public Records Law. Relevant records retention schedules apply to the content of all WPD's social media pages. 3. WPD's personnel representing the agency via the agency's social media outlets shall: [32.05 B] a. Conduct themselves as representatives of the agency at all times and, accordingly, shall adhere to all department standards of conduct and observe conventionally accepted protocols and proper etiquette. b. Identify themselves as a member of the agency. c. Not make statements about the guilt or innocence of any suspect or arrestee, or comments concerning pending prosecutions, nor post, transmit, or otherwise disseminate confidential information, including photo graphs or videos, related to department training, activities, or work -related assignments without express written permission. d. Not conduct political activities or private business. 4. Employees who utilize the Internet and social media network sites, whether from an agency or personal device, are prohibited from posting any of the following on any social networking platform, either on their sites, the sites of others known to them, the sites of others unknown to them, news media pages, or other information exchange forums: [32.05 C & D] a. Any statements or material about the WPD, its operations, or its current or former employees that are obscene, defamatory, false, deceptive, misleading, profane, libelous, threatening, harassing, abusive, hateful, etc. b. Any con fidential information related to the WPD's operations or investigation or any information about members of the public obtained as a result of employment with the WPD. 12.1, Page 4 c. Material that violates any laws, including intellectual property, copyrights, trademarks, and state or federal laws. d. Any commentary that pertains to the WPD without clear representation that the commentary is a personal opinion so that no reasonable person would conclude that the commentary is a representative of the WPD's views, opinions, or position. e. Sexually graphic material of any kind. J. Software Installation The installation of all agency computer -related software will be managed by the agency's Information Services Vendor or other in -house representatives designated by t he Chief of Police. [32 -01 C] _______________________ Chief David A. Ogden