These Terms of Service ("Terms") apply to flintpoliceops.com, the Flint Police Ops email newsletter, the Flint Police Ops Facebook Page, and the Facebook app we use to publish content through Meta's Graph API (together, the "Services"). By accessing or using the Services, you agree to these Terms. If you do not agree, please do not use the Services.
1. About the Services
Flint Police Ops is an independent local news and community information source for Flint and Genesee County, Michigan. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or operated by the City of Flint, the Flint Police Department, or any government agency.
2. Not for Emergencies
The Services are for informational purposes only. If you have an emergency, call 911. Do not use our website, Facebook Page, or email to report emergencies or crimes in progress.
3. Accuracy of Information
We work to report accurately, but news develops quickly and information — including content drafted with the help of automated tools or AI assistants — may be incomplete, preliminary, or change over time. Content is provided "as is," and all persons referenced in crime reports are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law. If you believe something we published is inaccurate, contact us and we will review it.
4. Our Facebook App
Our Facebook app is used solely by Flint Police Ops administrators to publish and manage posts on the Flint Police Ops Facebook Page through Meta's Graph API, sometimes with the help of an automated AI assistant. Use of Facebook is also subject to Meta's Terms of Service. Meta is not responsible for our app or content. Information handled by the app is described in our Privacy Policy, and you can request deletion of related data via our Data Deletion Instructions.
5. Your Submissions
When you submit a news tip, photo, event, comment, or other content, you:
- Confirm you have the right to share it and that it is truthful to the best of your knowledge;
- Grant Flint Police Ops a non-exclusive, royalty-free, worldwide license to use, edit, publish, and share it across the Services, including our Facebook Page;
- Agree not to submit anything unlawful, defamatory, harassing, obscene, or that violates someone else's privacy or intellectual property.
We may edit, decline, or remove any submission or comment at our discretion.
6. Acceptable Use
You agree not to misuse the Services, including by attempting to disrupt them, scraping them at abusive rates, impersonating others, posting spam, or using them for any unlawful purpose.
7. Intellectual Property
The Flint Police Ops name, logo, and original content are owned by Flint Police Ops. You may share links to our content, but you may not republish it in full without permission. Third-party content and trademarks belong to their respective owners.
8. Advertising and Sponsored Content
Some content may be sponsored or paid for by advertisers. Sponsored content is provided by or on behalf of the advertiser, and we do not endorse any product or service advertised.
9. Third-Party Links
The Services may link to third-party websites and services, including Facebook. We are not responsible for their content or practices.
10. Disclaimers and Limitation of Liability
The Services are provided "as is" and "as available" without warranties of any kind. To the fullest extent permitted by law, Flint Police Ops will not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, or consequential damages arising from your use of, or inability to use, the Services.
11. Changes and Termination
We may update these Terms or change, suspend, or discontinue any part of the Services at any time. Continued use after changes are posted means you accept the updated Terms.
12. Governing Law
These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of Michigan, without regard to conflict-of-law rules.
13. Contact
Questions about these Terms? Email news@flintpoliceops.com.