Editor's Note: Each week, Law Officer will post a Social Media Quick Tip that's intended to help law enforcement officers better navigate the world of social media.
What’s the one thing people can see even if they aren’t connected to you on Facebook?
It’s your profile photo.
If you don’t want people you don’t know to know you’re a law enforcement officer, keep all signs of it off your photo on your personal profile. This seems obvious but we’ve heard of situations where people were outed as cops because, when a fellow officer had died, they turned their profile photo into the thin blue line. When they turned the photo back to one of themselves, the photo and their name was collected by people who might target them. It’s outrageous, but true.
Choose your photo wisely, and stay safe.
Want More?
Want to learn more about social media, the Internet and law enforcement? Attend the SMILE Conference, which will be hosted by the Chicago Police Department, May 9-11. To learn more or to register, click here. Get $100 off the registration cost by using the code lawofficersmiler.