Missouri police department apologizes for graphic Facebook post

CARTHAGE, Mo. (AP) -- Carthage police have apologized for a fleeting, accidental posting of a crude photograph on the department's Facebook page.

Police Chief Greg Dagnan told the Joplin Globe that the photograph of male genitals appeared briefly on the department's new Facebook page Monday. The image was posted in error and was on the site for about five seconds.

Dagnan said an employee was trying to post a photograph to accompany an announcement about a community event. The intended photo was among photos stored on a computer that also held photos from an investigation. He said he thought the photo was deleted so fast no one saw it, but someone who saw the photo called police.

He said steps are being taken to ensure the mistake isn't repeated.

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Information from: The Joplin Globe, http://www.joplinglobe.com