A new external communications policy for Columbus Department of Public Safety employees could make them subject to disciplinary action for social media posts and even personal emails and communications that the city deems inappropriate.
The policy, which applies to all public safety employees — including city police officers, firefighters/ paramedics, dispatchers, license section and weights and measures employees — goes into effect across the department on April 4. The policy is being called overly broad by a First Amendment attorney and union officials, who also say it could have unintended consequences, including a chilling effect on efforts to connect with the community.
“It is important for Department employees to remember their external communications, even though viewed as ‘personal,’ may reflect on the City,” the policy reads.
What’s in the new social media, personal email policy for Columbus police, firefighters?
Among other things, the policy:
- Allows for private email communications between public safety employees and third parties that are off-duty and not job-related to be used for disciplinary purposes.
- Bars public safety employees from identifying their employer on social media, and linking their social media accounts with an actual physical link to the city or the department for which they work, including hashtags.
- Prohibits employees from using any department “logo, seal, insignia or equipment” in many instances without prior approval.
The policy as written would also apply to emails sent between a public safety employee through a private email address to others. For example, if an employee were involved in a personal situation and sent an email in frustration from their personal email, that email could be reported to the city and lead to the employee being disciplined — even if it has nothing to do with their employment or position and was done while they were off-duty.
