Exclusive | NYPD shutting down dozens of its social media accounts: Officials

The NYPD is shutting down dozens of its own social media accounts in the wake of a city watchdog agency’s report that it wasn’t policing its use of the platforms closely enough, The Post has learned. 

The department plans to do away with 58 Instagram and X accounts — some which showcase good arrests or advertise turkey giveaways — according to a May 12 memo titled “Official Department Use of Social Media.” 

“The Department is implementing new social media policies in response to a report by the Department of Investigation,” the memo reads. “As a result of the new policies, the following social media accounts will be deactivated.”

The accounts to be shuttered include some of those run by the offices of Professional Development, Employee Relations, Equity and Inclusion, Community Affairs and the Personnel and Training bureaus, according to the memo.

The DOI report, which found the NYPD had 142 X accounts, most of them associated with local precincts, recommended the NYPD assign officers to all of its social media accounts. It’s unclear how many Instagram accounts or other social media platforms the NYPD uses.

The city requires all of its social media accounts be registered with the mayor’s office, but not all of the NYPD’s accounts were registered, the DOI report said.

The January DOI report was prompted by aggressive social media posts on the official accounts of some NYPD execs, including Chief John Chell, who came under fire for disparaging left wing City Councilwoman Tiffany Caban over her post about the NYPD’s handling of protests at Columbia University last year.

Despite the high profile posts, most of the accounts slated for shutdown track daily events held by units inside police headquarters at One Police Plaza in Manhattan and elsewhere around the city, such as retirements, turkey giveaways and sports events with teens. 

Others run by precincts and housings bureaus in NYCHA developments advertise the good work of their officers — such as gun arrests — and post photos of suspects to try to get help solving crimes.

“This is not a fortune 500 company,” said a police officer with more than 20 years on the job . “This is the NYPD. We should be able to put out information to let the public know what’s going on. She’s trying to run this place with an iron fist.” 

But a department spokeswoman said closing the accounts wouldn’t affect the flow of information.

“We appreciate DOI’s report, and we have accepted all of their recommendations,” she said. “This new social media policy ensures that the NYPD can continue communicating with New Yorkers about public safety and inform them about what’s happening in their communities.”