Cops are Facebook people, too. And according to the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeal, police have a right to gripe about their jobs on Facebook and elsewhere. There are concerns, of course.

“We do not deny that officers’ social media use might present some potential for division within the ranks, particularly given the broad audience on Facebook,” the court said. “But the speculative ills targeted by the social networking policy are not sufficient to justify such sweeping restrictions on officers’ freedom to debate matters of public concern.”

In other words, sergeant, step away from the Facebook.

Overbroad Social Media Policy

The case arose after the Petersberg Police Department disciplined Herbert Liverman and Vance Richards for their online statements in 2013. While off-duty, Liverman posted a message to his Facebook page:

More than 30 people “liked” or commented on the post. Richards, also off-duty at the time, commented:

Negative Comments Provision

The department disciplined the officers for violating its policy, which states in part: “Negative comments on the internal operations of the Bureau, or specific conduct of supervisors or peers that impacts the public’s perception of the department is not protected by the First Amendment free speech clause, in accordance with established case law.”

The appeals court exclaimed at the “astonishing breadth” of the policy, saying “negative comments on the internal operations of the Bureau” or “specific conduct of supervisors or peers” could be just about anything. The court ruled that the policy was unconstitutional.

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