NYPD Twitter campaign backfires (Photo – Video)

The New York Police Department attempted to garner support Tuesday with a photo campaign on Twitter, but things have not gone as planned.
Earlier today, the NYPD tweeted a photo along with the caption, “Do you have a photo w/ a member of the NYPD? Tweet us & tag it #myNYPD. It may be featured on our Facebook.”

Many took to Twitter using the hashtag to show images of officers aggressively apprehending suspects.

“Free Massages from the #NYPD. What does YOUR Police Department offer?” tweeted @OccupyWallStNYC, which posted an image of officers holding a man, seemingly screaming, with his arms behind his back, on top of a car.

“The #NYPD will also help you de-tangle your hair,” tweeted @MoreAndAgain, posting a photo of an officer pulling the hair of a person who appears to be under arrest.

Asked about the campaign, an NYPD spokeswoman defended it.

“The NYPD is creating new ways to communicate effectively with the community. Twitter provides an open forum for an uncensored exchange and this is an open dialogue good for our city,” CNN quoted NYPD Deputy Chief Kim Y Royster as saying.

The social media fail was reminiscent of another recent Twitter debacle.

In 2012, McDonald’s created the #McDstories hashtag, asking customers to share their favorite McDonald’s memories.

The company yanked the campaign after just two hours and countless food-horror stories about fingernails, insects and bouts of food poisoning.

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

NYPD officers are known worldwide for their timely and hands-on response to citizen grievances. pic.twitter.com/wuJ8uicGgE #myNYPD

— Stop The Wars (@sickjew) April 22, 2014

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

@NYPDnews #myNYPD pic.twitter.com/aA7aQD1wYT

— Jeff Smith (@Jeff5mith) April 22, 2014

"And we're going to have to run you over, just for good measure." #myNYPD pic.twitter.com/q6JMNAajxb

— Casey Aldridge (@CaseyJAldridge) April 22, 2014

Agencies/Canadajournal