NYPD Encourages Everyone To Tweet Their Photos With the Cops, Things Go Predictably Awry

When government agencies and social media meet in the beautiful golden field of Twitter, nothing can go awry, right? That timeless principle was demonstrated yet again this afternoon, when someone at the New York Police Department got a brilliant idea: encourage the citizenry to tweet their photos with the cops! They can use the hashtag #MyNYPD, and we can all come away with a renewed appreciation for the beautiful and sensitive ways the police protect and serve New Yorkers. Maybe some of them will even show up on the department’s official Facebook page.

Or, um, not. Former Village Voice staff writer Nick Pinto said it best:

I’m not convinced that the NYPD’s social media team has thought this one all the way through: https://t.co/MdirVYn7LT

— Nick Pinto (@macfathom) April 22, 2014

We are certain you can guess what happened next.

Yep. A few people took the hashtag seriously and posted awkward photos of thrilled tourists hovering next to smiling cops. But on the whole, #MyNYPD quickly turned into a greatest hits rundown of the department’s warmest, cuddliest moments with ordinary folks. To wit:

#myNYPD shot 9 innocent bystanders near the Empire State Bldg just to get one guy pic.twitter.com/5e1dZLnri2

— Copwatch (@Copwatch) 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

RT @dellcam: 7 year-old-child arrested, handcuffed and taunted by police for hours at NYPD station: http://t.co/mw6RoXgOzO #myNYPD

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

A picture I took in Times Square, Feb 2010 of Minnie Mouse getting arrested. #myNYPD pic.twitter.com/7kbuntxBGM

— Ryan J. Davis (@RyanNewYork) April 22, 2014

#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

@OccupyWallStNYC
#myNYPD keeping me safe by tackling me to the ground, punching me & arresting me (1) pic.twitter.com/fmzKFAJrtx

— JnL Radikal Media (@JNLRM) April 22, 2014

This has been another flawless outreach moment by your local police.