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NYPD’s #myNYPD hashtag campaign backfires horribly

Good cop, mad cop.

 

Miles Klee

Internet Culture

Posted on Apr 22, 2014   Updated on May 31, 2021, 10:44 am CDT

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, 2014

The 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. #myNYPD pic.twitter.com/GErbiFFDvY

— Occupy Wall Street (@OccupyWallStNYC) April 22, 2014

@NYPDnews #myNYPD pic.twitter.com/aA7aQD1wYT

— Jeff Smith (@Jeff5mith) April 22, 2014

Free Massages from the #NYPD. What does YOUR Police Department offer? Tweet at #MyNYPD pic.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 #myNYPD pic.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/awb00Qxeon pic.twitter.com/MhyArnHKXK

— DefendedInTheStreets (@KimaniFilm) April 22, 2014

This is my favourite memory with @NYPDnews <3 #MyNYPD @YourAnonNews pic.twitter.com/DzT9EF8GK3

— Versace Sex Buddha (@RoyalBlumpkin) April 22, 2014

#myNYPD pic.twitter.com/jf7CgQ2xWs

— יהושע (@YahFet) April 22, 2014

.@NYPDnews got a great pic! #MyNYPD pic.twitter.com/EK8tL55TgV

— preston saint james (@BertyBoySwag) April 22, 2014

NYPD shooting a dog for fun. #myNYPD pic.twitter.com/zoRwLipGOp

— Scizyr Saj’Xanin (@Scizyr) April 22, 2014

Oh, dear. That didn’t go quite as planned, now did it?

Admin at @NYPDnews looking a results of #myNYPD pic.twitter.com/1jbmk0crOw

— Zemrag (@Zemrag7) April 22, 2014

Photo by Paul Stein/Flickr (CC BY-SA 2.0)

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*First Published: Apr 22, 2014, 5:45 pm CDT