Unhappy with image of UP police, DGP directs all ADGs to establish media cells

AGRA: Disappointed with the regular “negative portrayal” of police in society, the Uttar Pradesh director general of police has directed all ADG-level officers to ensure that every district police has a media cell to respond to all queries from the media promptly and correctly.
In an eight-page instruction, DGP O P Singh said, “During a recent review, it was found that continuous one-sided media reports have immensely damaged the image of UP police and the state government.The CM, too, is disappointed with such negative portrayal.”
In the letter, the DGP said that not conducting regular press briefings, avoiding phone calls of media to address their queries, lack of training to personnel posted in social media cell, leniency in promoting good work of police and posting media cell cops on other duty are a few of the reasons for negative reports in media.
The top cop told the ADGs that there would be a team of seven cops posted in media cell at district level. The team would be led by an inspector-level officer, but would be supervised by an officer of the rank of superintendent of police (crime).
In the absence of SP (crime), SP (city) will supervise media cell, the DGP’s letter said.
There would be another team of four cops at the level of ADG and IG in a dedicated media cell to address queries from reporters.
Speaking to TOI, ADG (Agra zone) Ajay Anand said, “The media cell will provide audio, video and written answers or material on media queries. Every district media cell will also have a WhatsApp group whose admin would be an inspector-level officer or above. The admin will only add media persons to convey queries promptly and correctly.”
The cops have also been asked to be active on Twitter.