SPD Chief: Learn your new social media policy
The Seattle police chief announced a new social media policy weeks after the department was forced to react to officer rants on Facebook.
The Seattle Police Department is working tirelessly to rebuild community trust and restore pride in our organization, Chief Kathleen OToole said in a statement posted on the departments blotter. Its unfortunate that behavior on social media by a few has contributed to the erosion of our collective efforts.
Moving forward, I want to be certain that employees are clear regarding my expectations for professional conduct on social media. I ordered the development of a new policy when these issues first surfaced. The policy, written with input from the City Attorneys Office, the Monitoring Team, SPOG and SPMA, has an effective date of March 1.
Earlier this month, officer Cynthia Whitlatch was relieved of duty after questions were raised about her arrest of a black man on Capitol Hill. On her Facebook page, Whitlatch posted about chronic black racism and wrote that she was tired of black paranoia that white people are out to get them.
Another Seattle police officer was placed on administrative leave after social media posts were called into question.
That prompted a Feb. 6 department-wide e-mail from OToole acknowledging that the department had been working with the City Attorneys Office on a draft social media policy since August. OToole noted she expedited the draft and it was sent to the Department of Justice.
I am particularly disappointed by these incidents because they undermine community trust, the reputation of the SPD and the outstanding work of many professional, hard-working officers, she wrote in the department e-mail, obtained by KIRO 7. I will continue to take decisive action against this type of behavior. I expect all SPD members to demonstrate professionalism, common sense and good judgment.
Heres the earlier KIRO 7 coverage of the Seattle police social media incidents. The policy released by OToole on Friday is below.
Seattle Police Department Directive
Date: March 1, 2015
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SPD Chief: Learn your new social media policy