Local Law enforcement agencies must address a significant amount of activities and events in their policies and procedures. For example, the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA) provides this list[1] of 458 standards that are reviewed during the accreditation process.

While the need for many of these policies have existed for a long time, such as Use of Force, operating motor vehicles, and uniforms and appearance, new issues have developed that require new policies and revisions to old policies.

One of the most significant developments is rise of social media. These applications have become almost a mandatory part of life, both for the agencies and the individual officers.

For this discussion board, find the social media policies of at least two different agencies.

1. Compare the policies on the following issues:

• Restrictions on the content of posts. What kind of material are individuals not allowed to post? Is there a difference between what individuals can post on or off duty?
• When are individuals permitted to post?
• Does the agency permit individuals to post pictures of themselves in uniform, or of police cars and the like? What about identifying themselves as a police officer?

2. Provide your opinion on each of the previous aspects of the policy. Explain which policy you think has the better provisions for each issue, and why.

3. Do you think the provisions of the policies are good? Explain how you reached this answer. How do you think the policy could be improved?

NOTE: Be sure to select policies from civilian law enforcement agencies only, and not the military or any other kind of organization or agency, such as fire departments or a school system.