‘Social Media’ remains a pivotal paradigm for exchanging information. While it remains an important advocacy tool to leverage the wisdom of the crowd, it can also spiral off into something humiliating and dangerous, if not participated intelligently and cautiously. Keeping this in mind, Director General of Police (DGP) Ashok Juneja on Thursday shot a blanket ‘internal advisory’ to all police units in the State, while laying down 20-point ‘dos and don’ts’ for all the men in uniform of the State, while handling the social media accounts. But quite ironically, a copy of the circular, dated June 15, 2023, initiated towards the DGP by the Special Branch, one of the off-shoots of State Intelligence, situated at Civil Lines, got leaked on the social media itself. However, official sources asserted that the circular revising the social media policy was necessitated after a number of instances of police personnel, including senior IPS officers, uploading footage of themselves which were not in line with the seriousness of the nature of duty that the uniform service department has to handle.

 

Meanwhile, the advisory, first and foremost, has clearly stated that all the officials and personnel of Chhattisgarh Police have permission to use social media provided it strictly adheres to Chhattisgarh Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1956 (Amended), for Chhattisgarh Government Employees. Secondly, it says, when posting something on social media platforms or while sharing someone’s opinions, police personnel should clarify that the post is his/her personal opinion like an ordinary citizen and it does not reflect the view of the police department. Thirdly, no officer or personnel can share any official matters on social media that they have come to possess in their official capacity unless they have a go-ahead from their competent superiors. “Sharing of any official documents, reports, note sheets, and applications on social media, sans official permission, should not be done at all and nor should anyone share any official work-related chat scripts,” the advisory pointed out.

 

The advisory also expected that all the personnel will avoid posting their opinions in favour of or against any political party or political leaders. “No police officials and personnel should discuss their own or their colleague’s transfers-postings on social media. “Policemen engaged in intelligence collection are particularly expected to strictly comply with this,” it added. As per the revised guidelines, live streaming of events – sharing of videos and reels – of activity at the workplace, uploading videos or photographs in uniform which may be objectionable and not in tune with the authority that the uniform carries, has also been prohibited. Any violation of the prohibition could invite severe departmental action and disciplinary proceedings in consonance with the set rules. The new pointer also prohibits the cops or officials using slang or talking in foul language on social media, while it also bars them from sharing provocative or indecent videos on social media sites. “No information regarding an ongoing case investigation, open case or sub judice cases can be shared on social media. Neither can the cops express their opinions on the above. Such information can only be shared by competent authority of the department through official press notes,” reads another specific directive in the advisory. The police officials are also prohibited from endorsing use of liquor, weed or other banned substances on social media and glorifying addictions. The cops have also advised against highlighting any religion, caste, sexual orientation, or their personal biases through social media. Most importantly, the advisory have cautioned them against revealing the identities of any rape victims or juvenile delinquents on social media. It also warned them of not disclosing the identity of any criminal impending identification parade. The advisory also prohibited cops from endorsing any personality with shady past or criminal records. The officials can no longer vent out through social media owing to their personal animosity with their colleagues or higher officials.

 

They cannot share controversial opinions against any public figure or government officials and of government programs, schemes etc. Besides, they cannot share information regarding police procedures in their social media posts or share whatever line of investigation is being followed by the department in any case. The cops will not share any opinions on issues with neighboring countries or national security. The advisory also warned the cops from writing or posting anything on social media that goes against court directives or contempt of court procedures. They are also advised against sharing any self created or other reading material that might be instigating or provocative or may give rise to tensions within the society. Sources averred that the new guidelines were drafted after consulting the social media policies of police departments of other states apart from some top security and investigating agencies functioning directly under the Central Government.