KISSIMMEE, FL – The Kissimmee Police Department (KPD) in Florida is reportedly conducting an internal investigation into potential policy violations regarding one of the detectives allegedly selling various products on social media while doing so in uniform.
Social media when paired with law enforcement can be a tricky field to navigate, with the alleged social media activity of a KPD detective bringing forth the question of where to draw the line professionally. According to reports, Detective Millyan Lagares from the KPD’s Major Crimes Unit has been blurring the line of acceptable social media use while in uniform.
KPD officials are currently reviewing Detective Lagares’ social media activity on TikTok where she has allegedly been promoting various personal care and hygiene products on TikTok while in uniform, reportedly advertising said items as being available for purchase directly through her “TikTok shop.”
TikTok shops, according to eCommerce agency Channel Bakers, are reportedly an in-app experience “where users can select, checkout, and advocate for products.” Social media influencers can apparently accumulate more sales through TikTok natively while keeping users on the platform as opposed to users navigating elsewhere online.
While Detective Lagares’ videos on the platform mostly feature her in civilian attire, according to reports, some have caught the eye of KPD officials over concerns about her visible uniform while showcasing products, one of which was directly advertising a product for law enforcement officers.
“I found something that’s actually going to remove odors instead of masking them,” Detective Lagares reportedly says in one video while adorning her KPD uniform and advertising a bottle of deodorant spray called Arrest My Vest, adding, “I use it on shoes. Tactical items. Pet gear. Anything that traps odors, really.”
Another TikTok video of Detective Lagares reportedly shows her modelling a pair of special eyewear while in her KPD uniform, with the video captioned with, “As someone who stares at the screen all day trust you need these!”
The videos where Detective Lagares’ uniform were visible have since been taken down from her personal TikTok, according to reports, with the KPD issuing a statement on the matter saying they’re reviewing the content “for potential policy violations.”
Per the KPD’s social media policy regarding employees’ personal accounts, “Agency members may not make any statements, speeches, appearances, endorsements, or publish materials that could reasonably be considered to represent views or positions of this agency without written permission from the Chief or their designee.”
Detective Lagares has yet to publicly respond to the allegations or pending investigation.
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