Sorry to add on, my email sent before I was done editing. I'm referring to referencing and calling out the specific business on official City/Police Department social media pages. Thanks!
From: Teresa Nowlin
Sent: Monday, July 6, 2020 11:05 AM
To: oama@lists.imla.org
Subject: PD Social Media question
Currently, our police department (and I assume all of yours) has been receiving a huge influx of community support in the form of donations of treats, meals, COVID suppl, notes, etc. from individuals/families, neighborhoods, churches, and businesses. Previously I imposed the rule that we should not be tagging or "shouting out" specific businesses that donate things like food, out of concern for issues like appearing that the City/PD endorses certain businesses over others, concern where the business is one seeking to do or doing business with the City, or a concern over using public resources for private purpose (e.g. give PD some cookies and you get a free advertisement on the PD's FB page to all of our followers). It has been brought to my attention that many PD pages in other municipalities are at minimum mentioning the businesses, some are tagging and some even go so far as to show a photo of the business and give the business's local address.
What is your city's current practice on these matters? Does this practice concern you from a legal standpoint?
Teresa Nowlin | City Attorney
211 North Elm | P.O Box 2007 | Jenks, OK 74037
918-299-5883 Office
Sorry to add on, my email sent before I was done editing. I'm referring to referencing and calling out the specific business on official City/Police Department social media pages. Thanks!
From: Teresa Nowlin
Sent: Monday, July 6, 2020 11:05 AM
To: oama@lists.imla.org
Subject: PD Social Media question
Currently, our police department (and I assume all of yours) has been receiving a huge influx of community support in the form of donations of treats, meals, COVID suppl, notes, etc. from individuals/families, neighborhoods, churches, and businesses. Previously I imposed the rule that we should not be tagging or "shouting out" specific businesses that donate things like food, out of concern for issues like appearing that the City/PD endorses certain businesses over others, concern where the business is one seeking to do or doing business with the City, or a concern over using public resources for private purpose (e.g. give PD some cookies and you get a free advertisement on the PD's FB page to all of our followers). It has been brought to my attention that many PD pages in other municipalities are at minimum mentioning the businesses, some are tagging and some even go so far as to show a photo of the business and give the business's local address.
What is your city's current practice on these matters? Does this practice concern you from a legal standpoint?
Teresa Nowlin | City Attorney
211 North Elm | P.O Box 2007 | Jenks, OK 74037
918-299-5883 Office
