SHELBY TOWNSHIP (WXYZ) — The Shelby Township Police Department has deactivated its Facebook and Instagram accounts after receiving threatening and inappropriate messages in response to a controversy where the police chief was able to keep his job following making comments promoting police brutality.
In a report from C&G Newspapers, a manager over the department's accounts said vile language and threats were getting worse on the page, which lead to the department's deactivation of the social media accounts.
In June, Shelby Township trustees voted to allow Chief Robert Shelide to keep his job, but required that he take cultural awareness training and a de-escalation program to be completed within 60 days.
The department said that it would temporarily suspended those accounts until further notice.
In a statement provided to 7 Action News, Shelby Township Police Deputy Chief Mark Coil said:
"Our police department has been committed to actively interacting with our community. Our Facebook page was an avenue for us to connect daily with residence and others from around the world. Its served multiple roles as an engagement tool as well an investigative one. Recently it became apparent that this social media platform was counterproductive to our mission, and ineffective. Feedback both positive and negative, has and will always be welcomed, unfortunately constructive feedback was overshadowed by discontent. We understand there is room to do better and be better, we heard the responses loud and clear. We thank the countless followers for their continued support, and look forward to reengaging with our community in other productive ways in the future."
The department's Twitter account remains active.
