In an age where bystanders commonly use their phones to document abuses of power by law enforcement, it’s understandable that police want to turn something like Twitter to their advantage.
MORE:
NYPD Twitter backlash spreads to L.A.
Too bad most civilians aren’t interested in burnishing the NYPD’s reputation for them, as they so politely requested in a hashtag campaign that was doomed from the outset.
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, 2014The initial replies were friendly enough but soon overwhelmed by a wave of righteous scorn.
#NYPD Keeping the Streets Safe. Show some love, and send your pics with #MyNYPD hashtags! pic.twitter.com/Sk31xWjQMp
— Chelsea Manning♥ (@shushugah) April 22, 2014
Here the #NYPD engages with its community members, changing hearts and minds one baton at a time. #myNYPDpic.twitter.com/GErbiFFDvY
— Occupy Wall Street (@OccupyWallStNYC) April 22, 2014@NYPDnews#myNYPDpic.twitter.com/aA7aQD1wYT
— Jeff Smith (@Jeff5mith) April 22, 2014
Free Massages from the #NYPD. What does YOUR Police Department offer? Tweet at #MyNYPDpic.twitter.com/IFWr8exuqH
— Occupy Wall Street (@OccupyWallStNYC) April 22, 2014
Need a mammogram? #myNYPD has you covered! Forget Obamacare! pic.twitter.com/Fusv3WhiRZ
— आनिल् (@guru0509) April 22, 2014#NYPD protect banks and kiks pacific people #Wallstreet Mafia #myNYPDpic.twitter.com/eKiElOg9hI
— HDG (@hdgremix) April 22, 2014#MyNYPD murders people in custody, and because of corruption in the system,the DA decides that charges won't be filed pic.twitter.com/nr8m09aUtP
— Dan Routhier (@Danbobjoe) April 22, 2014
how #myNYPD treats 16 year olds who say "no" to being stopped and frisked: https://t.co/awb00Qxeonpic.twitter.com/MhyArnHKXK
— DefendedInTheStreets (@KimaniFilm) April 22, 2014
This is my favourite memory with @NYPDnews<3 #MyNYPD@YourAnonNewspic.twitter.com/DzT9EF8GK3
— Versace Sex Buddha (@RoyalBlumpkin) April 22, 2014#myNYPDpic.twitter.com/jf7CgQ2xWs
— יהושע (@YahFet) April 22, 2014
.@NYPDnews got a great pic! #MyNYPDpic.twitter.com/EK8tL55TgV
— preston saint james (@BertyBoySwag) April 22, 2014
NYPD shooting a dog for fun. #myNYPDpic.twitter.com/zoRwLipGOp
— Scizyr Saj'Xanin (@Scizyr) April 22, 2014Oh, dear. That didn’t go quite as planned, now did it?
Admin at @NYPDnews looking a results of #myNYPDpic.twitter.com/1jbmk0crOw
— Zemrag (@Zemrag7) April 22, 2014Photo by Paul Stein/Flickr (CC BY-SA 2.0)
