Police officers told not to post photos in uniform on social media 

Tamil Nadu police officers warned against sharing uniformed photos and confidential information on social media and interviews.

Police officers in Tamil Nadu have been directed not to post their photographs in uniform in social media handles. They have also been told to refrain from sharing confidential information and details of criminal cases in interviews to Television/YouTube channels, podcasts etc in personal capacity.

In an order issued to all officers in the rank of Superintendent of Police and above in the State, the Director-General of Police and Head of Police Force Shankar Jiwal said it had come to notice that some officers were posting official matters, including important duties and responsibilities, and their photographs in official uniform, on their personal social media handles.

A few officers had given interviews to social media channels in their personal capacity and shared official information relating to cases, victims, accused persons, etc. “It has also come to the knowledge that some officers attend private functions in official uniform and share sensitive official information,” Mr. Jiwal said and referred to the All India Services (Conduct) Rules and the Tamil Nadu Subordinate Police Officers’ Conduct Rules which restrained them from doing so.

Mr. Jiwal said going by the conduct rules a police officer invited or intending to participate in a television programme or deliver a broadcast talk should intimate to the government of the particulars relating to the programme or the subject on which he/she proposed to talk. If need be, the entire content to be published should be submitted to the authorities concerned for approval.

The DGP said wherever required, approval of senior officers in hierarchy should be obtained by subordinate officers for vetting content and obtaining clearance for participation in private functions and interviews. In case of any violation, action would be taken under the provisions of the conduct rules. “All officers shall strictly adhere to these instructions and also issue necessary instructions to others within their jurisdiction in this regard,” he said.

According to police sources, another advisory was issued asking Commissioners/Superintendents of Police to give short video interviews explaining the content of official press releases issued on various matters.