New social media policy: Police officers in KP directed to quit social media groups

PESHAWAR: A new social media policy has been introduced for the police officers in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa who have been directed to quit the WhatsApp groups to avoid unnecessary pressure and prevent the rumours from spreading within the force, it was learnt on Wednesday.

A source said that a large number of senior officers and junior cops had been added to the WhatsApp groups run by those who had nothing to do with policing. On Wednesday, officers from the rank of additional inspector general down to constables started quitting these groups.

An officer said that most of the WhatsApp groups were putting unnecessary pressure on police officers by twisting facts. The official said that it was direct involvement in the affairs of the force. “Many of the sidelined junior and senior officers use to float things against the bosses through one or the other member of the group to convey message to the administration.

Apart from taking screenshots, messages from these groups used to be forwarded to exert pressure on police bosses,” said a senior police official requesting not to be named. He added the high-ups were fed up with these groups but this was for the first time that the administration had directed all officials to quit these groups. “However, the officers will continue to be part of their professional groups,” he added. “According to our new policy, we all are required to exit social media groups. We had good time in this group. No offence. Allah hafiz,” said a senior official in a group.

Officers of the police force across the province were sent messages by their seniors to immediately leave all the WhatsApp groups, except the professional ones. “Dear officers, please leave all the WhatsApp groups except those made by regional police officers, district police officers, capital city police officer or any other officer for the official matters.

The police chief has conveyed that action will be taken against any officer found in any WhatsApp group except the official ones,” said a message sent to many officers. Similar instructions were issued by the federal government authorities recently to all the departments under the Ministry of Interior.

Apart from WhatsApp groups, there are a number of officers, who are active on Twitter, YouTube and Facebook and have a huge following. Some of them are doing a good job by creating awareness and taking other positive measures through their social media accounts.