Snap a photo with a police officer and post it on Twitter. That was the concept behind the New York Police Department's #myNYPD social media campaign Tuesday.
It worked ... for a little bit.
my photo from my ride along with the boys from the 90th pct
— Lindsay Dixon (@poshwonderwoman)
@NYPDnews my photo from my ride along with the boys from the 90th pct #myNYPD pic.twitter.com/vwv7KQjLFD
— Lindsay Dixon (@poshwonderwoman) April 22, 2014
The hashtag went viral — but the photos weren't friendly. Things took a turn when several users hijacked the hashtag including Occupy Wall Street protesters.
Here the
engages with its community members, changing hearts and minds one baton at a time.
— Occupy Wall Street (@OccupyWallStNYC)
Here the #NYPD engages with its community members, changing hearts and minds one baton at a time. #myNYPD pic.twitter.com/GErbiFFDvY
— #GeneralStrike (@OccupyWallStNYC) April 22, 2014
The trend soon spread to L.A. where people created #myLAPD with examples of alleged abuse by officers.
at MacArthur Park on
2007. pic.twitter.com/LKbflD10sI
— LA CAN (@LACANetwork)
#myLAPD at MacArthur Park on #MayDay 2007. pic.twitter.com/LKbflD10sI
— LA CAN (@LACANetwork) April 22, 2014
well, it's
in L.A. county so it counts. Watch your dogs! Your police force working for you. pic.twitter.com/5i05gl5kxT
— Gaga Cheat (@MissStef0318)
Buzzfeed reporter Ryan Broderick joins Take Two to explain how police departments use social media to improve community relations, and how it could have been used better in this case. To listen to the segment, click on "Listen Now" to the left of this article.