The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary wants everyone to know that it is not responsible for, or affiliated with, the Republican party’s presidential candidate Donald Trump.
The Canadian police department has seen a surge in misdirected attention this week, as social media users discussing the Republican National Convention continue to use the wrong handle on Twitter.
The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary has been fielding a flood of mentions and messages since Monday, when the GOP convention kicked off in Cleveland. The police department's Twitter handle, @RNC_PoliceNL, is the first auto-complete suggestion that comes up for users who type in "RNC."
The U.S. political gathering is using @GOPconvention as its Twitter handle, and the hashtag #RNCinCLE for discussion, which has prompted the confusion.
The police force sent out an exasperated tweet on Monday, acknowledging the anger coming its way.
"And so begins all the mis-mentions to us," RNC Police said.
And so begins all the mis-mentions to us because of the "RNC" Convention in Cleveland this week! #WeArentTheRepublicans
— RNC (Police) (@RNC_PoliceNL) July 18, 2016
The police department's social media team typically answers with the message: "We are a Canadian Police Service in Newfoundland & Labrador with no U.S. political affiliations."
Const. Geoff Higdon, who manages the police department's Twitter account, says he tries to answer as many of the misdirected tweets as possible, but he sometimes has to block users when their messages are retweeted too often.
"We've gotten really positive response though, from the users we actually reply to," he told CTV News Channel on Wednesday. "They say, 'Oh, we love Canada, and sorry we're driving you crazy with all this Donald Trump nonsense."
The department has been hit with several angry and vulgar tweets, as well as a few messages of support.
@RNC_PoliceNL NO TRUMP!
— fmr. SECREZ (@rez_zergani) July 19, 2016
@RNC_PoliceNL Donald Trump is going to make a great president! Well done!
— Greg (@WhyNotNFLD) July 20, 2016
@RNC_PoliceNL delegates are NOT sent to vote their conscientious. They represent,the people, not themselves
— Martha (@MartiJ1956) July 18, 2016
@JohnKasich The @RNC could be a bloodbath if you don't temporarily suspend the open and concealed carry law. @RNC_PoliceNL @rnccleveland16
— Joe Jordan (@Joehoos) July 17, 2016
One person appeared to have read the "police" in the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary's Twitter name, and misinterpreted it as a new "Republican GOP 'Peace' force."
.@RNC_PoliceNL For real? @realDonaldTrump Is starting his own Republican GOP "Peace" force?! #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/pNINgAAKh6
— Steveo (@dingl_) July 20, 2016
Others were amused by the misdirected attention, with many praising the police department's social media team for their patience and humour.
@RNC_PoliceNL @BesLori @realDonaldTrump @rez_zergani I guess this wouldn't help the situation... pic.twitter.com/yngHlQdNOb
— Nods (@nodsnwinks) July 19, 2016
Gotta love @RNC_PoliceNL for having a great sense of humour about all the tweets for the #gopconvention. Hang in there you're doing great!
— Samantha Dwyer (@tehsamm) July 20, 2016
Const. Higdon says he's hoping the attention will die down after the convention has concluded.
"But if not, I'll have to print all the tweets and bring them in a shoebox to Mr. Trump and say, 'I believe these are yours,'" he said.