Detroit police chief addresses social media monitoring of Gaza protests

The Detroit Police Department has been scrutinized for its social media monitoring practices, particularly regarding protests related to the Gaza conflict. Following a mass shooting at a block party in July, the department increased its social media activity to prevent potential threats. However, a report from the Detroit Free Press revealed that the department may have exceeded its monitoring scope, collecting personal information of individuals involved in a May protest without clear evidence of any infractions. This has raised concerns among the Detroit Board of Police Commissioners, who assert that such monitoring violates departmental policy. Commissioner Linda Bernard emphasized that police should only engage with citizens when there is probable cause, while Commissioner Willie Burton echoed that surveillance of social media posts is against the department's regulations. The documents obtained by the Free Press included names, photos, and social media activity of protesters, but did not specify any legal infractions, leading to questions about the legitimacy of the department's actions. The controversy intensified after an incident where an officer was suspended for making an inappropriate comment to a protester, highlighting the need for accountability within the department. The police department maintains that it differentiates between surveillance and monitoring, stating that they only focus on posts indicating potential civil or criminal infractions. The situation underscores the ongoing debate about the balance between public safety and civil liberties in law enforcement practices.