PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police authorities have banned the use of social media by the officers and cops.
The police authorities imposed a ban on use of social media and smartphones during the duty hours over the last three years but the cops kept defying the restriction.
Some policemen have become social media celebrities with huge following on TikTok, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and other social media forums.
Many of those active on social media speak against policies of the force and the government in their videos and posts on Facebook and Twitter.
They refused to stop using social media despite being ordered on many occasions over the last three years.
The Deputy Inspector General of Police, Headquarters, issued a circular to the regional and district police officers to ensure implementation of the ban on use of social media by the cops.
“Referring to the previous orders issued by the Central Police Office since 2021, the circular stated that the SOPs about social media were issued to uphold the integrity and professionalism of the department. However, despite clear instructions about ban on use of social media apps from time to time for strict compliance, most of the rank and file of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police are not adhering to these SOPs and are still using social media apps i.e. TikTok, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and WhatsApp,” stated the circular.
It added all ranks and files of KP Police were banned from using KP Police flag, emblems, insignia, any part of uniform, equipment, arms or ammunition or the police logotype, and personal pictures in uniform as part of personal social media profile. But most of the police personnel, it continued, were still violating the instructions.
“Such violations not only threaten the integrity of the department but also endanger the lives of the members of the KP Police,” it continued.
In view of the above, the letter continued, the competent authority has directed the cops to strictly adhere to the instructions concerning social media policy issued vide above quoted letters from time to time and please spread this message about social media policy of KP Police to all rank and file.
In the letter all unit heads, RPOs and DPOs were directed to initiate strict departmental action against those police personnel who have been breaching the KP Police Social Media Policy.