Los Angeles police officers are encouraged to obtain social media information during field interviews with civilians regardless if they are suspected of being involved in a crime, according to documents obtained by the Brennan Center for Justice.
The group collected the documents related to the LAPD practice in an effort to gain insight into how police departments monitor social media. It noted that a 2015 memo from then LAPD Chief Charlie Beck said officers should collect for social media and email account information to include the type of account and account name during interviews, which are then documented on field interview cards.
In a July 22, 2020 memo, current police Chief Michel Moore said the cards are the basis for "investigations, arrests, and prosecutions."
"Information documented on the FIs is one of the most important tools that the Department utilizes to solve crime," Moore wrote.
The documents were first reported by The Guardian. Fox News had reached out to the LAPD.
On the back of the cards, a box asks for email and social media information to include Twitter, Instagram and Facebook accounts. The Brennan Center said a review of field interview cards in 40 other cities found that cards used by police departments in those locations were not used to collect social media information.
In a statement released by the LAPD on Thursday, the department said social media handles can be "critical pieces of contact information, along with phone numbers and email...
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