Here’s a brief survey of how law enforcement in my area of central Texas represent themselves on social media.
Hays County Sheriff
I live in Hays county. The Sheriff’s department portrays itself with a police car in pursuit and a lineup of armed, unhappy white men standing next to an armored vehicle. The us vs. them thin blue lineup.
https://www.facebook.com/hayscountysheriffsoffice/
Comal County Sheriff
Comal goes for the vehicle lineup and features a totally unmarked car. These unmarked cars are illegal in some states, though that doesn’t stop police departments from using them. Some citizens pull cops in these cars over and challenge them on the safety and legality of patrolling in unmarked vehicles.
https://www.facebook.com/Comal-County-Sheriffs-Office-262901413722765/
Austin Police Department
Austin goes for a civic landmark, wildflowers, and smiling, diverse faces.
https://www.facebook.com/AustinPolice/
Travis County Sheriff
Blandly innocuous.
https://www.facebook.com/TravisCOSheriff/
Round Rock Police
A vehicle lineup including a SWAT van.
https://www.facebook.com/RoundRockPoliceDepartment/police
Williamson County Sheriff
Unsmiling good ole boys.
https://www.facebook.com/SORecruitment/
San Marcos Police
Blandly innocuous.
https://www.facebook.com/smcpa/
San Antonio Police
Diverse, smiling faces.
https://www.facebook.com/SanAntonioPD/
Georgetown Police
Civic landmark.
https://www.facebook.com/GeorgetownTXPolice/
Bee Cave Police
A lone cruiser.
https://www.facebook.com/Bee-Cave-Police-Department-406748709376530/
Lakeway Police
The white guy blue line, but with a possible smile or two and no armored vehicles or exposed weapons.
https://www.facebook.com/lakewaypolice/
Bastrop County Sheriff
Cruiser lineups in non-confrontational poses. I’m glad they didn’t feature their $658,000 mine-resistant, ambush-protected vehicle.
https://www.facebook.com/BastropCountySO/
