Franklin Police Department Social Media Policy

Terms of Use

By posting or commenting on any social media platform used by the Franklin Police Department, you participate by your own choice, taking personal responsibility for your comments, your username and any information you provide therein. You further agree to the following terms of use:

The Franklin Police Department maintains a social media program for the purpose of engaging and interacting with our community, providing relevant and timely community news, information and events, distribution of crime prevention and public safety tips, for urgent notifications of critical incidents which may affect residents, business owners and visitors of the Town of Franklin Police Department, and for those people having an interest in the Franklin Police Department.

Limited Public Forum

All social media platforms used by the Franklin Police Department are designated as Limited Public Forums. The department welcomes a person's right to express his/her opinion and encourages posters to keep comments relevant to the topic in question. Posting of any content on any social media platform used by the Franklin Police Department, by any visitor, follower, subscriber or fan, constitutes acceptance of the terms of use described here in this policy.

For purposes of this policy, a social media platform is the website or app offered to the public to provide audio, video, still-photo or written communication between other members of the public and/or representatives of certain groups, businesses, organizations or departments. Examples of social media platforms include Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Flickr, LinkedIn, Instagram,  website blogs with commenting capabilities, forums and emergency notification services.

Emergency or Non-Emergency Requests for Police Assistance

The posting of requests for police assistance, regardless if it is of an emergency or non-emergency nature, is discouraged and will not guarantee a response by the Franklin Police Department or any emergency service provider. In case of an emergency, or if police assistance is needed, please dial 911. If you wish to report a crime or information relevant to a crime, please call 508-528-1212. 

In the event you post information related to a crime, you may be placing yourself in a position of becoming a witness and subject to being subpoenaed into court.

Endorsements

"Friending" or "Liking" the Franklin Police Department, or an officer or employee of the Franklin Police Department, does not indicate an endorsement of that person's actions or comments.

A comment posted by a member of the public on any Franklin Police Department social media site is the opinion of the commentator or poster only, and publication of a comment does not imply endorsement of, or agreement by, the Franklin Police Department, nor do such comments necessarily reflect the opinions or policies of the Franklin Police Department.

Moderation of Content

The Franklin Police Department 's social media platforms are intended to be "family friendly," When applicable, the department uses platform provided content moderation/filtering options to limit foul or obscene content. The Franklin Police Department does actively monitor the social media platforms used by the department, and will remove inappropriate content as defined below, without prior notice, and as soon as possible. The department shall reserve the right to remove and/or block anyone who posts inappropriate material as determined by the department. 

Denial of Access

The Franklin Police Department reserves the right to deny access to any Franklin Police Department social media sites for any individual, who violates the Franklin Police Department's Social Media Terms of Use, at any time and without prior notice. 

Facebook's Community of Standards

All comments posted to any Franklin Police Department Facebook site are bound by Facebook's Community Standards, and the Franklin Police Department reserves the right to report any violation of Facebook's Community Standards to Facebook with the intent of Facebook taking appropriate and reasonable responsive action.

The Twitter Rules

When applicable, the Franklin Police Department reserves the right to report any violation of the Twitter Rules, with the intent of Twitter taking appropriate and reasonable responsive action.

Instagram Community Guidelines

When applicable, the Franklin Police Department reserves the right to report any violation of the Instagram Community Guidelines, with the intent of Instagram taking appropriate and reasonable responsive action.

Questions

Should you have any questions in regards to items contained herein this Terms of Use, please contact, Sgt. Connor Crosman at 508-528-1212.