'No reels in uniform': Delhi Police Commissioner flags 'unacceptable' conduct, issues directions

The Delhi Police Commissioner has issued directions against violation of social media guidelines. (File/PTI)

Delhi Police Commissioner Sanjay Arora has taken a dim view of personnel posting reels and videos on social media platforms while in uniform. In a memorandum issued by the office of Commissioner, the department termed such actions as "unacceptable" and said would view them as "abuse of uniform".

The memo also listed the police personnel found making reels or posting videos in uniform and posting them on social media.

In the memo, dated May 24, the Commissioner cited the social media policy of the Delhi Police issued in August 2023 and asked officers to ensure that the personnel listed as having violated the social media policy be sensitized appropriately. The directions need to be complied with by June 15.

"It has been reported that in spite of the said instructions, a lot of police personnel have been found making and posting reels/videos on various social media platforms while wearing uniforms," the memo read, as per a report by The Indian Express, adding that such acts stood in violation of the social media policy and guidelines.

"You are requested to ensure that the police personnel under your control, as per the list enclosed, are properly sensitised and made aware that they have to distinguish between their personal and professional lives. Such instances of abuse of uniform on social media are unacceptable," it added.

As per the Delhi Police's social media guidelines, personnel have been advised to refrain from posting or sharing information about cases, departmental training, victims, political topics, religion or upload reels or videos on social media.

The guidelines, listed in an order dated August 24, 2023, issued by police chief Sanjay Arora, directs police personnel not to use social media during their duty hours. It made a specific mention of instances where mobile phones and cameras of police personnel were used for operational coverage and sensitive material was uploaded on social media and asked personnel not to post such content online.

"Police personnel shall not comment, post, transmit, or disseminate any confidential information relating to the guilt/innocence/ pending trial of any suspect or arrested person…police should not post comments that are inflammatory/derogatory towards victims, suspects or any other individual or group," the guidelines read.

The order further says the police can’t post anything against the "national interest" or internal security. "The content can’t be illegal, obscene, derogatory or something that violates conduct rules," it adds.