A seemingly innocent Twitter campaign meant to promote the NYPD’s relationship with the community went horribly—horribly—wrong.
We mean, horrible.
On Tuesday, the person at the helm of the NYPD’s Twitter account sent out this gem of a tweet to the department’s nearly 100,000 followers:
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
Upon noticing what now appears to be an ill-conceived attempt at public relations, Twitter users responded with photos of alleged police beatings and other messages poking fun at the country’s largest police force.
The hashtag #myNYPD soon became a trending topic nationwide.
Here’s how Twitter reacted:
is that a dog???? really yall a DOG…. RT @RamiSafadi93: #myNYPD pic.twitter.com/zqW8ft4HWF
— solomon missouri (@solomonmissouri) April 22, 2014
Kills dogs RT @desusnice: #MyNYPD pic.twitter.com/luJuJTQL1T
— Copwatch (@Copwatch) April 22, 2014
@NYPDnews #myNYPD pic.twitter.com/aA7aQD1wYT
— Jeff Smith (@Jeff5mith) 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
Need a mammogram? #myNYPD has you covered! Forget Obamacare! pic.twitter.com/Fusv3WhiRZ
— आनिल् (@guru0509) April 22, 2014
NYPD going in for the kill against an unarmed man. This officer was commended for his lethal baton skills. #myNYPD pic.twitter.com/nLu9blDei4
— Scizyr Saj'Xanin (@Scizyr) April 22, 2014
NYPD beating an unarmed woman on the ground. #myNYPD pic.twitter.com/RyQmLLQwhN
— Scizyr Saj'Xanin (@Scizyr) April 22, 2014
"And we're going to have to run you over, just for good measure." #myNYPD pic.twitter.com/q6JMNAajxb
— Casey Aldridge (@CaseyJAldridge) April 22, 2014
“@DocR0cket: Beating an 84 yr old man for jaywalking. #MyNYPD // keepin it classy! pic.twitter.com/knINkuO61f”
— Casey Aldridge (@CaseyJAldridge) April 22, 2014
"Hope you people had fun with the #MyNYPD hashtag because we got all your ip addresses" pic.twitter.com/Z9sTCmLSHh
— Desus (@desusnice) April 22, 2014
To be fair, it wasn’t all bad:
“@poshwonderwoman: @NYPDnews my photo from my ride along with the boys from the 90th pct #myNYPD pic.twitter.com/6ZPk1ozT7m”
— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) April 22, 2014
“@firstysoe: NYPD on World Police Band 2013, Jakarta, Indonesia. #myNYPD pic.twitter.com/HKYGzTUROd”
— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) April 22, 2014
“@MDplusthree: @NYPDnews #myNYPD Best birthday treat EVER 2000 – great holiday. pic.twitter.com/XlOJt3hMuW”
— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) April 22, 2014
Maybe the NYPD should have consulted with R. Kelly before embarking on this venture.
