03/25/2026
Wyoming County Sheriff’s Department (W.C.S.D.)
Social Media Policy
March 24th, 2026
1. Purpose:
The Wyoming County Sheriff's Department (hereinafter referred to as the W.C.S.D.) utilizes social media platforms to advance its mission, enhance transparency, and foster trust among citizens. The W.C.S.D.’s social media accounts serve the specific purpose of sharing information about government services and programs. Social media encompasses any website or application that allows users to create, share, and interact with content (e.g., Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok). Please note that W.C.S.D. social media accounts do not function as an exhaustive calendar of community events and activities. The W.C.S.D. does not endorse or support organizations, messages, or entities it may follow or interact with on social networks. These interactions do not necessarily imply a relationship between the W.C.S.D. and any other organization or individual. Comments or posts made by members of the public or organizations do not necessarily reflect the position of the W.C.S.D.
2. Approval and Administration:
W.C.S.D. staff and personnel will manage the W.C.S.D.’s social media accounts. However, these accounts are not continuously monitored and are rarely monitored on weekends. W.C.S.D. staff members are responsible for ensuring that activities associated with the W.C.S.D.’s accounts on each network are relevant and adhere to this policy. For prompt responses, please use designated channels for formal requests and reports of criminal activity and disturbances. In the event of emergencies, call 911. The W.C.S.D. will maintain only one account per platform unless a division or program seeks permission and receives approval from W.C.S.D. command staff or designated authority to launch a distinct account. Individual divisions are encouraged to coordinate with designated personnel to utilize centralized W.C.S.D. social media accounts to disseminate public messages about their services, operations, events, and achievements.
3. Comment Policy:
Comments posted on, connected to, or directly associated with W.C.S.D. social media accounts or their content may be monitored and are subject to moderation. The W.C.S.D. reserves the right to hide, report, or remove comments or links that violate this policy, including those that:
a) Are profane, obscene, or s*xual in nature;
b) Are harassing or repetitive;
c) Threaten or defame any person or organization;
d) Promote, foster, or perpetuate discrimination on the basis of race, color, age, religion, s*x, s*xual orientation, gender identity, national origin, military status, disability, or genetic information;
e) Support or oppose political candidates or ballot propositions;
f) Promote illegal activity, commercial services, or products (e.g., spam);
g) Violate federal, state, or local law, or policies, including intellectual property laws or ownership interests of other parties.
The W.C.S.D. reserves the right to report the activity of users on its social media accounts if it violates the platform's terms of service. Consistent and frequent abuse of this policy may result in a user being blocked from posting on W.C.S.D. social media accounts. If you believe you were blocked in error, please contact Sheriff Bradley G. Ellison ([email protected]) or Chief Deputy Don Cook ([email protected]).
4. Compliance with Laws:
This social media policy and the social media accounts of the W.C.S.D. are intended to comply with federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and policies. Content posted on or connected to W.C.S.D. social media sites is considered a public record and is subject to the West Virginia Public Records Law and other applicable record retention laws. Content posted by a member of the public on social media sites may also be subject to e-discovery laws. Information protected by copyright or trademark will not be posted or maintained on a W.C.S.D. social media account unless permission has been granted by the owner of the intellectual property.
5. Legal Disclaimers:
a) The W.C.S.D. does not guarantee that any information posted by third parties is correct and assumes no liability for inaccuracies, loss, or damage resulting from reliance on such information posted by unauthorized individuals.
b) The W.C.S.D. does not guarantee that the social media accounts or content will be uninterrupted, permanent, or without error.
c) The W.C.S.D. may modify this policy at any time at its discretion.
Effective Date: March 24, 2026
Thank you for your cooperation and engagement with the W.C.S.D. on its social media platforms.
Chief Deputy Don Cook
