Police Concerned Over Social Media by Alice Hewitt

Four officers in the British Police Service were disciplined recently over what they posted on their Twitter accounts.

Sarah Giles, posting as “@TopshamPolice” tweeted on Oct. 2, “Thank you for all your support. I was told to close the account and cease tweeting. It upset me very much and is still being discussed.”

Giles also posted that she wanted her Twitter followers to retweet the message.

Sgt. Matthew D’Asti, public information officer for the Windsor Police Service, said they would not prevent their officers from using social media sites like Twitter. D’Asti said he had no idea how many officers were already using sites like it but that none, to his knowledge, have been disciplined for their posts.

“It certainly is a good topic. Social media is a social revolution.” said D’Asti.

 Giles tweeted again Oct.3, this time with a more positive post as her Twitter account was reinstated.

 “A really positive, supportive and understanding discussion with my supervisor has resulted in my twitter and Facebook accounts being unsuspended/reinstated/given the go ahead to resume,” Giles said. “We have swapped ideas, had a really good chat about Twitter and come up with a plan! In a constructive, open and honest discussion we talked about the pit falls and the positives of social media as a public engagement tool for an organisation like the police.”

 Deputy Chief Constable Gordon Scobbie for Tayside Police has spoken with media outlets in the United Kingdom, such as www.guardian.co.uk and Police Oracle, on the subject. In response to Giles being allowed to post again, he responded positively on his own Twitter account, “@DCCTayside”.

 “Forces need to be thoughtful on strategy, purpose, structure and support then trust staff to use SM (social media) responsibly,” Scobbie said.