Cops on duty flouting social media use ban

PESHAWAR: A number of police officials are using social media and smartphones during duty, violating a ban imposed by the authorities a few months back.The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police authorities had imposed a ban on use of social media by the officers and personnel of the force.

The KP Police authorities on a number of occasions imposed a ban on use of social media and smartphones during duty in the last three years but policemen continued violating the ban. The latest orders were issued in September following which a number of cops stopped using the social media in uniform and in their office.

However, the practice has begun once again. There are officers and cops who use social media for publicity rather than focusing on duties. Some of the policemen and employees of other government departments have become social media celebrities, having huge following on TikTok, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and other social media forums. The same is about the officers and officials in many government departments where social media is being used during official duty timing.

Many cops and other employees have so far refused to quit social media forums despite orders by the bosses on many occasions in the last over three years to post their videos and pictures in uniform continuously.The deputy inspector general of police, headquarters, had issued a circular to all the regional and district police officers in September to enforce the ban on use of social media by the cops.

“Referring to a few previous orders issued by the Central Police Office since 2021, the circular stated that the standard operating procedures regarding social media were issued to uphold the integrity and professionalism of the department.

However, despite clear instructions regarding ban on use of social media apps, most of the rank and file of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police are not adhering to these SOPs and are still using social media apps. TikTok, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and WhatsApp in order to grab attention,” stated the circular.

It added that the rank and file 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 were still violating the instructions, it added.

“Such violations not only threaten the integrity of the department but also endanger the lives of the members of the police,” it continued.The letter said that relevant officials had been directed to ensure implementation of the instructions concerning social media policy.