For police officers, an internet rant could cost three days' pay. Forwarding a music video critical of the department to a television station could cost 10.
Law enforcement do not enjoy the same level of free speech protection civilians make use of every day on social media and can be punished for expressing themselves on politically charged topics such as racism and immigration.
And with racial tensions high across a nation in the midst of a contentious and polarizing presidential campaign, where videos of fatal officer-involved shootings of unarmed black people appear in news feeds, officers are under more public scrutiny than ever. Three recent cases in Tennessee showcase the pitfalls officers face on social media.
Read more at our news partner's website, tennessean.com.
CPD UNBECOMING CONDUCT POLICY
1. Employees shall conduct themselves at all times - both on and off duty - in such a manner as to reflect favorably on the Department. Conduct unbecoming a public employee includes conduct that is unlawful and/or brings the Department into disrepute, reflects discredit upon the employee as a member of the Department, or impairs the operation or efficiency of the Department or officer. 2. The above conduct includes representations made on and in all forms of social media. Social media includes, but is not limited to, Facebook, Twitter, MySpace and other public or private technologies that may emerge. This would also apply to both public and restricted profiles. Department personnel should assume that their speech and related activity on social media sites will reflect upon their office and this department. Source: Chattanooga Police Department Policy Manual, ADM-16
SOCIAL MEDIA POLICIES ELSEWHERE
Social media policy highlights: Nashville The two-and-a-half page Nashville policy tells police to identify themselves as MNPD officers when referencing the police department in a comment. It also asks officers to state that their comments do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the Metro police department. Officers are asked not to engage with anyone posting anything inaccurate, negative or accusatory about the department. Knoxville If any of the Knoxville Police Department officers find themselves out of the technology loop, the KPD social media policy provides a list of word definitions, including those whose common meanings have evolved, such as profile, page and post. The KPD policy is one of three policies that specifically order officers not to post anything sexual, violent, racial or ethnically derogatory. Officers are required to provide the department access to their social networking sites as part of a background investigation. Memphis The one-page Memphis Police Department social media policy covers not only social media posts but any information electronically transmitted. For example, one officer was punished for forwarding a video called "F--k MPD" he'd received in a text message to the media. Clarksville The Clarksville Police Department is another of the three departments with policies containing a clause that specifically tackles sexual, violent, racial or ethnically derogatory posts. Murfreesboro Thorough and specific, the 15-page Murfreesboro Police Department social media policy contains an entire page outlining what social media content is inappropriate. For example, not only does the policy address race, ethnicity, sexual content and violence, it also addresses color, age, creed, religion, marital status, receipt of public assistance, physical or mental disability or "any other legally protected classification or category." It also explains what city employees can use social media for: city communication and promotion.