ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The Albuquerque City Council voted 8-1 to pass a resolution directing the city to create a social media policy for its employees and departments.

Earlier this year, KOB 4 reported on a series of what came across as rude and snarky tweets from the Albuquerque Police Department official Twitter account. It sparked outrage from councilors, and some decided to take action.

“It’s important that when we post on the city’s behalf that we remember that we have to take our personal attacks out of it and remember that we are representing the city, and it needs to be respectful. Our comments need to be helpful, they need to be factual, and they need to be thoughtful. And just because somebody says something that is negative or not kind, it doesn’t mean that we have to go back with the same kind of insults,” said City Councilor Renee Grout.

Grout introduced the proposed policy, directing the city to develop content guidelines, including behavioral expectations and disciplinary measures.

“If those guidelines are not adhered to, then there needs to be disciplinary action, which may include, may or may not, include termination,” said Grout.

It’s unclear who from APD was the one tweeting in the most recent incident, but we know APD’s communications team has access to the account.

According a spokesperson for Mayor Tim Keller, his administration has a social media policy that is available online for the public to see.

The city also passed its legislative priorities.

You can read the full Nov. 18, 2024 agenda for the Albuquerque City Council below: