UP Police issues social media policy for its personnel

Uttar Pradesh police have issued a social media policy for its personnel which aims at preventing the distortion of the image of the police.

The policy, foremost bans the use of social media during work hours. It is a common sight to see police personnel with their heads down looking into their phones even when posted at busy intersections etc.

No social media posts, lives and reels in police uniform are permitted no matter if these are made during or after duty hours.

Similarly, no live shows of inspections, goings on in the police line, police drills or any other activities from the workplace are permitted.

No recordings can be made of interactions with complainants for social media broadcast either.

Police personnel will also be required to take permission from their seniors to participate in any online seminars, webinars, lectures etc.

The policy also prohibits them from earning any money through social media as it does from promoting any product or service through their accounts.

No information or photos of victims of sexual assault and juvenile offenders shall be posted, neither shall any such material which is aimed at promoting dissatisfaction within the department.

Posts related to political parties or political activities, and any commentary thereof is also a strict no. No posts which are derogatory to any section or class of people are permitted. 

No official records or documents to be posted on social media, and neither are pictures to be taken, even in a personal capacity with persons who have a criminal record of any kind.

To showcase its ‘good work’, police personnel often post photos of arms and ammunition seized during a raid but this has also been banned according to the new policy. Posts about patrolling are also forbidden.

Joining WhatsApp groups and pages that are anti-government or specific to any caste has been forbidden.

Public social media accounts will also henceforth not be accessed through personally owned devices.

There is a small list of what is allowed: posts on personal accounts which make it clear that they have nothing to do with the department; posts on good work done as long as they do not impact the department in any way, and re-sharing, re-tweeting good work done by the police department as shared on their respective public accounts.

Violations will be punished, though the policy does not specify the nature or quantum of the punishment.