Niles Police Department Social Media Policy

The Niles Police Department (NPD) established a Facebook Page, Instagram account, Twitter account, Next Door page, Ring Neighbors account and YouTube page. The intent of these social media sites is to serve as a communications tool between NPD and the public. The Public Information Office personnel are the sole administrators of these social media sites.

This social media policy includes Terms of Use, Prohibited Content, and Disclaimer.

Terms of Use:
As a communications tool, the Niles Police Department shall utilize its Facebook Page, Instagram, Twitter, Next Door, Ring Neighbors and YouTube account to raise awareness among the Village of Niles and neighboring residents and visitors, community partners, and interested fans and followers of public safety news and information that affects the area surrounding the Village of Niles.

Social media sites grant NPD an additional opportunity to share its public safety messages with the general public. NPD shall utilize its Facebook Page, Instagram, Twitter, Next Door, Ring Neighbors and YouTube accounts to post news releases, photos, videos, and important public safety information, including but not limited to Amber Alerts, information about wanted criminals, road closures, power outages, and other emergency announcements.

Whenever possible, the NPD's social media sites shall comply with all applicable Niles Police Department and Village of Niles policies and procedures.

Prohibited Content:
The intended purpose of the NPD's social media sites is to serve as a means of communication between NPD and members of the public. Therefore, information, posts, and comments containing any of the following forms of content shall not be allowed and will be removed from the site.

• Profane language or content
• Content that promotes, fosters, or perpetuates discrimination on the basis of race, religion, gender, marital status, familial status, national origin, age, mental or physical disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, source of income, or other protected status under applicable law
• Inappropriate sexual content or links to inappropriate sexual content
• Solicitations of commerce
• Conduct or encouragement of illegal activity
• Private and confidential information
• Information that may tend to compromise the safety and security of the public or public systems
• Content that violates a legal ownership interest of any other party
• Comments in support of or opposition to political campaigns or ballot measures

The Niles Police Department disclaims any and all responsibility and liability for any materials or content that the NPD deems inappropriate for posting. NPD shall make efforts to remove said materials in an expeditious or otherwise timely manner, but disclaims liability if circumstances exist that prevent or hinder efforts to remove said materials.

Disclaimer:
The Niles Police Department's does not endorse nor otherwise support or sponsor any advertising that may be posted by the Social Media host (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Next Door, Ring Neighbors and YouTube) on the NPD's site. Facebook Page, Instagram, Twitter, Next Door,  Ring Neighbors, and YouTube account are privately operated sites and the privacy terms of each respective site apply.

NPD does not guarantee the reliability or accuracy of any third-party links.

NPD reserves the right to remove any comment or conversation that is prohibited by this Social Media Policy.