The Best (Worst?) Of #MyNYPD

The New York Police Department took to Twitter, in what was ostensibly an attempt to build some goodwill around the force as a brand. They tweeted the following:

 

Do you have a photo w/ a member of the NYPD? Tweet us & tag it #myNYPD. It may be featured on our Facebook. pic.twitter.com/mE2c3oSmm6

— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) April 22, 2014

But this is Twitter. This is pull no punches, steer into the negative, funny at your expense, make you sorry Twitter. The Twitterers, they do not play. Therefore, the inevitable occurred. The whole thing backfired. Hard. And Fast.  In addition to some lovely pics of CopsNFriends™, there were blunt and honest depictions of brutality and excessive force. Here are some of the latter:   

How about featuring this one of the #NYPD with the 84yo man they brutalized for jay walking? #myNYPD @NYPDnews pic.twitter.com/31rjdfvQRg — cassandra (@CassandraRules) April 22, 2014

Sure thing! MT @NYPDnews: Do you have a photo w/ a member of the NYPD? Tweet us & tag it #myNYPD pic.twitter.com/mdWqoHiij5

— DefendedInTheStreets (@KimaniFilm) 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

Remember that time you bashed the head of a peaceful protestor? We do. #myNYPD @NYPDnews pic.twitter.com/kxeJ8ABtN6

— Occupy Congress (@OCongress) April 22, 2014

You might not have known this, but the NYPD can help you with that kink in your neck. #myNYPD pic.twitter.com/fzUok1FWXG — Cocky McSwagsalot (@MoreAndAgain) 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

.@NYPDnews got a great pic! #MyNYPD pic.twitter.com/EK8tL55TgV — preston saint james (@BertyBoySwag) April 22, 2014

NYPD crushing a black man’s spine. He lost all sensation below his neck from this. #myNYPD pic.twitter.com/lhPgo7UNSA

— Scizyr Saj’Xanin (@Scizyr) April 22, 2014

Sometimes the jokes write themselves. #S17 #myNYPD pic.twitter.com/Wrp6RGpByZ — Pancake Witch (@TheRealKeori) April 22, 2014

Need a mammogram? #myNYPD has you covered! Forget Obamacare! pic.twitter.com/Fusv3WhiRZ

— आनिल् (@guru0509) April 22, 2014

RT @NYPDnews Do you have a photo w/ the NYPD? Tweet us & tag it #myNYPD It may be featured on our Facebook. #oink pic.twitter.com/pM4US6Wffg — dannie ocean. (@dannieboyTV) April 22, 2014

#myNYPD killed 16-year-old Kimani Gray. pic.twitter.com/Q47Kue47lr

— Molly Knefel (@mollyknefel) April 22, 2014

If you can’t walk, don’t worry, the NYPD will carry you. How helpful! #myNYPD pic.twitter.com/XMLDXTAe3i — Cocky McSwagsalot (@MoreAndAgain) April 22, 2014

Hey @NYPDNews you guys didn’t stay for a photo op but you left me some nice souvenirs #myNYPD pic.twitter.com/p8DfcBzEIu

— DefendedInTheStreets (@KimaniFilm) April 22, 2014

paz,

~ dara.