Video: Bet your badge on Facebook?

December 02, 2011 04:38 AM •

We’ve all heard about an officer who has been reprimanded—or even terminated—by his or her agency because of something they did or said on one of the popular Internet social networks. Some say in response, “Hey, I’ve got freedom of speech!”

In this video tactical tip, Police1 Columnist Dave Smith explains, “No, you don’t!”

Think about how your Facebook, Myspace, and Twitter posts might reflect not just on you, but on your agency. Think about how the people out there who don’t like you could try to use what you say (or do) against you. Be careful to never play “You Bet Your Badge” on the Internet.

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Dave Smith

Dave Smith is an internationally known motivational speaker, writer and law enforcement trainer who has been an integral part of the Calibre Press family for over 20 years. As a career police officer, Dave held positions in patrol, training, narcotics, SWAT, and management. In 1980 he developed the popular “Buck Savage” survival series videos and was the lead instructor for the Calibre Press “Street Survival” seminar from 1983 to 1985. He was a contributor to Calibre’'s popular “Tactical Edge” handbook and helped pave the way for what “Street Survival” is today. Dave joined the Law Enforcement Training Network in 1989 and was the general manager of Calibre Press until January of 2002. Now president of Dave Smith & Associates, a law enforcement & management consulting company based in Illinois, Dave has developed hundreds of programs across the spectrum of police & security training needs.

Dave is now a Calibre-Press Street Survival instructor and his experiences as officer, trainer, manager, and police spouse lend a unique perspective to the “Street Survival” experience.