January 19, 2012
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| Image: Rex Features |
Dorset policeman Nick Manning is facing disciplinary action for tweeting about the damage public sector cuts are having on the force. His senior officers seem to have particularly objected to a tweet indicating that the North Dorset force was running on a skeleton crew. The tweet read: “Last 3 nights in North Dorset, 3 cops covering everything north of the A31. The public should have £noconfidenceintheresamay”. His senior officers thought this might rather undermine public confidence in the force - what could have given them that idea?
The policeman, having been told he would face disciplinary action, took to Twitter to reveal all:
“Might be taking a break from tweeting as I’ve just been reg 14’d for ‘inappropriate content’ on here. Should be an interesting interview.” … followed by:
“Thank you all for your support, my reg 14 says I undermine public confidence and bring discredit on the service… we’ll see how it goes.”
Talk about not knowing when to stop… this is further proof, if it were needed, that everybody on Twitter is a vainglorious idiot. Guru, having recently been charged with reviewing the company’s social media policy to address the potential for reputational damage, made several amendments, resulting in a very succinct policy that even the least media-savvy employee can understand: “Shut up”.
Of course, such a policy would not be acceptable in a sector where bollocking on about yourself on Twitter all day is considered best practice, such as media. Imagine working for Rupert Murdoch; you’d feel compelled to follow his constant ranting about popcorn prices and how nice Central Park is when it’s quiet. Two minutes on his Twitter page confirms that his stating that “this is the most humble day of my life” wasn’t quite the grand gesture it seemed.
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