UP Police HQ to track cops’ social media activity via monthly reports

Lucknow: The Uttar Pradesh Police headquarters has directed all police units across the state to submit monthly reports detailing action taken against police personnel violating the social media Policy-2023. The directive has come amid growing concern over objectionable online content being posted by serving and trainee cops.

In the order issued on May 15, ADG (Law and Order) Amitabh Yash instructed all department heads and office chiefs in the police department to enforce compliance with the social media guidelines issued in 2023.

The order comes days after videos posted by UP Police constable Sunil Kumar Shukla, posted at Reserve Police Lines in Lucknow, went viral on social media. In a series of three videos, the constable alleged the existence of a “corrupt feudal system” within the Lucknow Police Commissionerate, triggering widespread discussion and embarrassment for the department.

Police headquarters noted in its latest communication that despite clear guidelines, several serving and trainee police personnel were continuing to upload objectionable reels and inappropriate content on social media platforms. Officials said such activities were adversely affecting govt work and damaging the image and dignity of the UP Police.

The order directed senior officers to identify police personnel under their respective districts, commissionerates and units who violate the Social Media Policy-2023 and ensure immediate departmental action against them.

Apart from disciplinary proceedings, police headquarters has ordered a formal documentation mechanism for social media violations. Under this, all districts and police units will now send a monthly report to headquarters in a prescribed format containing details of the erring police personnel, their designation, the nature of the objectionable post along with screenshots, and the action taken against them.

The order further directed officials to preserve the URLs and digital records of such objectionable posts for monitoring, future reference and official documentation.

According to the circular, the reports must include the name and PNO number of the police personnel concerned, details of the social media content posted, screenshots of the posts, and information regarding departmental proceedings initiated against them.

The directions have been issued with the approval of DGP Rajeev Krishna.

Senior officials said the move is aimed at tightening internal discipline and ensuring that police personnel do not misuse social media platforms in a manner that could compromise the force’s professionalism, operational integrity or public image.