The Aurora City Council passed an emergency resolution Monday night to restrict how the Aurora Police Department uses social media and releases evidence [1].
The measure establishes new oversight for police communications to prevent the premature identification of suspects and ensure transparency during officer-involved shootings. By shifting approval authority to city leadership, the council aims to standardize the department's public messaging.
Council members voted six-four in favor of the resolution on May 18 [1]. The new rules require the city manager to approve all social-media posts generated by the police department [2]. This oversight is intended to ensure the responsible communication of police information to the public [3].
Under the new policy, police may no longer post booking photographs of suspects unless that individual has been convicted [1]. This change aims to protect the identities of individuals who have not been found guilty in a court of law, a move that separates the city from many standard law enforcement practices.
Additionally, the resolution addresses the release of evidence following police shootings. The Aurora Police Department must now provide unedited video of such incidents to the families of the victims [3]. This requirement is designed to provide families with direct access to footage without departmental editing.
The resolution was passed as an emergency measure to implement these changes immediately. The city council sought to balance the need for public information with the rights of suspects, and the needs of grieving families [1, 2, 3].
“The Aurora City Council on Monday passed the emergency resolution 6-4.”
This resolution represents a significant shift in local governance by stripping the police department of its autonomy regarding public relations and digital evidence. By requiring city manager approval for social media and banning the release of mugshots for unconvicted suspects, Aurora is prioritizing the presumption of innocence and civilian oversight over traditional police transparency and 'crime-fighting' optics.
