Do not tweet when naked, drunk or eating, police warned

 

Photo: AP

Police employees have been issued with a raft of guidelines in how to avoid bringing the force into disrepute via social media.

As of July 2013, around 129,584 full-time police officers were employed throughout England and Wales, according to the Home Office.

Police officers have long been aware of the risks of excessive drinking and public nudity, but new guidelines today warn officers against documenting their own exploits online. Continue...

In new codes of conduct for using social media, forces are also warned against the potential embarrassment that could be caused if they tweet their "dinner/biscuits/doughnuts".

Forces across the UK use social media sites including Facebook and Twitter to launch witness appeals and to keep the public informed of ongoing cases, but employees have been disciplined for bringing the force into disrepute through their personal accounts.

Around 821 instances when officers or staff were investigated for breaching police guidelines on social media use took place between January 1 2009 and February 17 2014, it has been revealed.

Of the 43 police forces across England and Wales, Greater Manchester had the highest amount of incidents at 88. West Midlands police force had instigated 74 investigations, while Metropolitan conducted 69. Hampshire, Merseyside, Essex and Staffordshire refused to disclose their figures.

The new guidelines from the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) discourage staff from using social media while off-duty and after drinking alcohol, as their judgement may become impaired.

Source: The Telegraph