Best of the Web – Brimfield PD Facebook page

(Best of the Web is an occasional series of posts where I highlight websites that I think bring out the best of what the web can be.  The choices and the standards upon which they are made are entirely my own)


David Oliver is the chief of police for a little community in northeastern Ohio called Brimfield.  In 2010, as a means to improve communication and transparency with the citizens in his area, Oliver launched a Facebook page.  It was a shot, as so many things on the Internet are.  An attempt to do something a little different.  His hope was to get about 500 people following the page (the population of Brimfield was 3,248 as of the 2000 Census).  The best decision that Chief Oliver made was to just be himself.  Both the professional police officer (the Chief isn’t afraid to simply call himself a “cop”) and the slightly goofy guy known to his friends and family.

So you may get a quick weather forecast, an update on the overnight arrests (no names or photos are published), a reminder about an upcoming local event.  Or a little bit of a rant about whatever is on the Cheif’s mind.

Oh, the rants.

It’s David Oliver’s rants that made him the “Internet Sensation” that he is.  They are mostly focused on crime and the people who commit them.  “Mopes” in Chief-speak.  A “mope” is anyone who leeches off of society rather than trying to be a productive member thereof.  Do you take advantage of others?  You’re a mope.  Do you steal, sell drugs or be generally abusive?  You’re a mope.  Whatever your crime may be the Chief wants you to know one thing – you’re not welcome in Brimfield.  His officers WILL catch you and they WILL send you to the county bed and breakfast (his euphemism for the county jail).  Oliver has a particular disdain for people who abuse children, women and old folks.  I think he finds throwing those “mopes” in jail especially satisfying.

To be honest, I don’t always agree with the Chief on his rants.  I am certain that won’t bother him.  But then, I bet the Chief and Mrs. Chief don’t always agree either (I know I don’t always agree with Mrs. Phlipside.  As I wise husband I remain silent at those times).  We don’t have to agree, we just need to listen.  Plus, Oliver has suprised me a couple times.  His clear and direct thoughts on gun control struck me as particularly well thought out and came at the issue from a logical and useful angle.  Unlike most of the commentary I’ve heard over the years.

David Oliver is a career cop.  His job is to enforce the laws passed by the appropriate authorities.  Not comment on them, not interpret them.  That’s what he does and I respect him for it.  I also respect the passion he brings to the job, the care he has for his community, the seriousness with which he takes his duty to “serve” that community.  His police department are involved in all kinds of programs to aid children and seniors and the Chief is right there in the midst of it.

The success of the Facebook page (he wanted 500 likes, as of the day I write this post they are at 159,707.  That makes them the third most followed PD page on Facebook.  Only Boston and NYC are ahead of them.  Think about that for a moment) has lead to a book, national media coverage, coffee mugs and t-shirts and more.  The Chief and Mrs. Chief have founded a charity to support children in need and the victims of abuse.  All the proceeds of the “stuff” goes to the charity.

It’s also led to a small group of critics.  Personally, I think they’re off base.  This is what social media is supposed to look like.  It’s a two way conversation.  It’s interaction for a higher cause.

It’s what the Internet can be, at it’s best.

Well done, Cheap Otter!