On Tuesday, the New York Police Department decided to engage with the people they “serve and protect” on Twitter by asking users to share a few feel-good photographs using the tag #MyNYPD.
Because that doesn’t sound self-serving at all.
Do you have a photo w/ a member of the NYPD? Tweet us & tag it #myNYPD. It may be featured on our Facebook. pic.twitter.com/mE2c3oSmm6
— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) April 22, 2014
But if you’ve followed the department’s latest snafus — like shooting unarmed teenagers, beating an 84-year-old man for jaywalking, or abusing their paramilitary power by harassing minorities in the name of “Stop & Frisk” — then you understand why what happened next actually happened.
In what police are calling a “hijacking,” Twitter users decided to share their less than flattering pictures of officers in what some believe is a true depiction of the police force.
Like this:
You might not have known this, but the NYPD can help you with that kink in your neck. #myNYPD pic.twitter.com/fzUok1FWXG
— Cocky McSwagsalot (@MoreAndAgain) April 22, 2014
And this:
WANT TO POINT OUT ANOTHER #MYNYPD TACTIC look how they wall to cover up evidence of cop brutality pic.twitter.com/6L5sAuP6YO @sickjew @EllieSLP
— Liza Sabater (@blogdiva) April 23, 2014
Or this:
Police State Of Amerika RT@StateEnemyNo1 NYPD Community Outreach. Courtesy. Professionalism. Respect. #NYPD #myNYPD pic.twitter.com/Umuek6a1Vu
— 島人(一国二制度) (@nakarony) April 23, 2014
Even this:
Homeless man is having a seizure. #MyNYPD ease his troubles by shooting his dog http://t.co/hFaFhRQvYs pic.twitter.com/AIZBTvjany
— Up the Rebels (@occbaystreet) April 23, 2014
And our personal favorite (and contribution to the brilliance of exposing police brutality) this:
Talk about backfiring.
According to the New York Times:
A spokeswoman for the department, Deputy Chief Kim Y. Royster, said in a two-sentence statement Tuesday evening that the department was “creating new ways to communicate effectively with the community” and that Twitter provided “an open forum for an uncensored exchange” that is “good for our city.”
The experience will not stop the department from pushing forward with social media endeavors, its top spokesman, Stephen Davis, said. “You take the good with the bad,” he said.
So in short, they don’t have any worries. But we’re sure that, with the power of Twitter, these images will do what they are supposed to do.
For more, visit #MyNYPD.
SOURCE: Twitter, NYT | PHOTO CREDIT: Getty