Less than an hour after posting what they thought was a “light-hearted” message on Father’s Day, the Kansas police department had deleted it.
An apology from the Topeka Police Department followed on Monday as it tried to smooth the waters following the “mistake” on its social media account.
Wives were encouraged to give the father of their children “a Father’s Day he’ll never forget” on Sunday as the Department suggested that they turn him in to police if he had any warrants out for his arrest.
“Does your child’s father have warrants?” the tweet read. “Is he carrying around any drugs? Has he been committing any crimes? Want to give him a Father’s Day he’ll never forget? Call TPD and we’ll help your family make a memory that will last a lifetime.”
It “appeared to have been deleted within an hour,” according to The Kansas City Star, thoguh it was captured in a screenshot by another Twitter user.
So here’s a now deleted tweet from @Topeka_Police pic.twitter.com/zRXogtZsMG
— ɑυʀɪ (@starblankets_) June 16, 2019
There was immediate backlash after the message was first tweeted.
That’s truly disgusting! Who thought that was a good idea???? Deleting the message is not enough! An apology and serious community outreach is required to begin to make up for this!
— Kim Baum (@Sailorscout58) June 17, 2019
Nothing says Father’s Day like encouraging ppl to snitch on their dads and experience police violence firsthand.
— Gelatinous Potato Salad Cube (@CanadiEnby) June 16, 2019
Boy, this is a really sick tweet to put out too. The Topeka Police Department should be ashamed of themselves be it on Father’s Day or not.
— Roselyn Warren (@roselynwarren3) June 16, 2019
Will Pope, a candidate for Topeka City Council, called out the department in a tweet saying it was “smart to delete the tweet, but not smart to post in the first place. Look at all the uproar on Twitter! This hurts the entire department’s public perception and makes it harder (& less safe) for officers to do their job.”
@Topeka_Police smart to delete the tweet, but not smart to post in the first place. Look at all the uproar on Twitter! This hurts the entire department’s public perception and makes it harder (& less safe) for officers to do their job. #topeka #FathersDay @TopekaPDChief #topcity pic.twitter.com/SUnkmxheiX
— Will Pope (@FreeStateWill) June 16, 2019
@Topeka_Police @TopekaPDChief it would be good to put out a statement and apology soon before this goes more viral. Last September TPD’s response to why officers knocked down the door came 4 hours after the resident posted a video. Too late! It helps to get in front of the news.
— Will Pope (@FreeStateWill) June 16, 2019
The Department officially put out an apology on Monday, saying the tweet was meant to be “humorous and light-hearted.”
“The tweet was meant to be humorous and light-hearted, but was hurtful to some,” the police department said. “After realizing this, the tweet was quickly deleted. We would like to sincerely apologize for this mistake.”
Apology regarding tweet: pic.twitter.com/him4coGASp
— Topeka Police (@Topeka_Police) June 17, 2019
The backlash and the criticism provided a “learning experience,” the department added.
“This will be a learning experience and goes to show that words, even when intended to be humorous, can be hurtful to others,” the statement read. “Thanks to all who reached out, letting us know how you felt.”
Pope offered “kudos” to the department for the apology but criticized the length of time it took to be issued.
“Be more timely!” he admonished.
Kudos to the @Topeka_Police for issuing an apology! This comes 24hrs after the tweet though. A lot of reputation damage has been done since then. @cityoftopeka communications should use this as a learning moment for how to better respond to a PR crisis. Be more timely! https://t.co/5E2Zr0UzOU
— Will Pope (@FreeStateWill) June 17, 2019
Some who were offended by the Father’s Day message didn’t think the apology could let the police department off the hook.
I think you meant it exactly the way it was received.
— Whitney Lindeman ? (@whitneylindeman) June 17, 2019
I cannot imagine how humor was intended.
I can, however, easily imagine how it was intended to be just what it was— hateful, disparging, and sickening.
Fire yourself if you thought it was light and humorous.
— Crews Giles (@CrewsGiles) June 18, 2019
And others accepted the apology but had some advice to offer.
Apologies accepted, I hope though that your staff and officers are aware of the pain and suffering of Dad’s who are forcefully alienated from their children. No Fathersday for them. They line between being a happy parent and no parent is very thin, it can also happen to you.
— #IkOok (@Keivaneenpapa) June 18, 2019
You can read some of my comments regarding the tweet in this article. I strongly support our police, and will always have their backs when they come under fire for doing their jobs, but I do hope the TPD improves their department communications. #topeka
— Will Pope (@FreeStateWill) June 17, 2019
Even amid the blowback, however, there were still some Twitter users who defended the Topeka Police Department and their attempt at sarcastic humor.
Anyone that doesn’t recognize the obvious sarcasm deserves what they get.
— jimscott (@jdscott9f) June 16, 2019
Anybody can make mistakes. Good deal on recognizing your mistake and owning up to it. My son wants to be in law enforcement. I want him to know that they are supposed to serve and protect and live to a higher standard. Not degrade and belittle. Blessing to you all.
— Cesc Entreri (@Cesc_Entreri) June 17, 2019
Maybe folks need to lighten the hell up and quit getting their feelers hurt over what was obviously a joke. I’ve seen 3rd graders with thicker skin than these people.
— Mike Geer (@Geerhead81) June 17, 2019
Don’t apologize! Tell the whiners to get a thicker skin. It was an awesome post and hopefully some disgruntled mothers took it to heart & turned in a deadbeat or two ! Please don’t punish the Tweeter, it really was a good post !
— Access Midwest (@AccessMidwest) June 17, 2019
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Originally from New York, Powers graduated from New York University and eventually made her way to sunny South Florida where she has been writing for the BizPacReview team since 2015.
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