Gurugram: Police constabulary in Haryana can no longer use social media or make calls from their mobile phones during duty hours. A letter issued by Haryana Director General of Police Shatrujeet Kapur has banned the use of mobile phones and other electronic devices while on duty.
Dated 6 December and dispatched on 10 December from the police headquarters, the letter said that the decision comes considering that the use of mobile phones or other electronic communication devices during duty distracts employees, poses a risk to public safety, and tarnishes the image of the police force.
And that is not all. The letter directs police constabulary to provide phone numbers to their unit in-charges. Their phones will be collected and tracked during duty hours. They can communicate with family members only via the in-charge’s phone.
Other key points in DGP’s letter
According to the DGP’s instructions, no staff member, except for the team-in-charge, is allowed to carry a mobile phone or any other communication device during duty unless a senior officer permits it for a specific person. Any grant of such permission must be recorded regularly.
There will be arrangements in all police stations, posts, and lines for employees to submit their mobile phones before starting duty.
The in-charge will provide their own or another number to police personnel under their command. Using that, personnel may call their family members in case of an emergency after obtaining the in-charge’s approval.
If a team-in-charge permits a police personnel to carry a mobile phone or other device during duty hours, they must ensure it is used strictly for duty-related purposes.
The instructions also prohibit police personnel from sharing confidential information — duty locations or objectives — on any social media platform. Official communication must be through the wireless communication network of the police department.
All unit in-charges will be responsible for ensuring compliance with these instructions. They will periodically check whether police personnel under their command are spending excessive time on mobile phones or social media during duty.
Contacted by The Print, a senior police officer, requesting anonymity, said that the orders came from the headquarters and were immediately conveyed to all personnel and implemented. “These orders apply to police personnel assigned to certain categories of duty. These will enable police personnel to perform their duties with greater vigilance and promptness, enhancing the image of the police department among the public. The orders specify the guidelines regarding whether police personnel can carry mobile phones during duty.”
(Edited by Madhurita Goswami)
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