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Content: But for official uses, it’s best to stick to facts and avoid weighing in on controversial issues. For example, policies may give social media managers some leeway on responding to questions from the community. However, policies should prohibit posts that comment on pending prosecutions, share confidential information, or make statements about the guilt or innocence of any suspect. Investigating and preventing crimes
Official department social media accounts can be helpful for soliciting tips about crimes or missing people. But individual officers can also use social media for investigations. In fact, a 2014 study by LexisNexis found that 73 percent of officers believe that using social media can help solve crimes faster. According to the study, 8 out of 10 law enforcement professionals actively used social media in investigations. However, the study also found that 52 percent of agencies didn’t have a formal process for doing so. Without proper policies, evidence gathered via social media may not hold up in court. Social media policies can help officers navigate the legal and ethical issues of using social media to gather information.