3 min readLucknowMay 17, 2026 02:18 AM IST
From a policeman uploading videos of his poetry recitals to another boasting nearly 4 million followers via allegedly staged reels, the Uttar Pradesh Police is staring at concerns over online activity by the force.
Cracking down on this growing trend of police personnel posting ‘objectionable and staged’ reels on Instagram and Facebook for likes and views, the Uttar Pradesh Police DGP Headquarters has issued a directive to enforce the ‘Social Media Policy’ strictly and take stern disciplinary action against policemen violating the policy. The order has been issued to district police chiefs, commissioners and heads of all state police units.
In a case from earlier this month, a police constable posted in Lucknow released videos alleging corruption in the assignment of duties to police personnel at the Police Lines and held IPS officers responsible for the irregularities. A probe has been ordered into the allegations, though no action has been taken against him so far. As per the policy, airing grievances on social media platforms is prohibited.
Recently, a woman personnel and her male colleague were suspended for making objectionable reels in uniform.
What the directive states
Acting on the instructions of DGP Rajeev Krishna, ADG (Law & Order) Amitabh Yash Friday issued a letter to all senior officers along with a mandatory proforma that must be submitted to the headquarters every month. The officers have been asked to identify policemen violating the policy rules and to preserve such posts along with the URL in records.
The letter noted that the ‘Uttar Pradesh Police Social Media Policy-2023’ was issued through a circular by then DGP D S Chauhan on February 8, 2023, laying down guidelines for all UP Police officers and personnel on the use of social media platforms.
However, it said that several serving and trainee police personnel have been found violating the policy by posting objectionable content on social media. Such activities, the letter stated, are not only adversely affecting official work but are also tarnishing the dignity and public image of the Uttar Pradesh Police.
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The circular sent by the then DGP D S Chauhan stated that several instances came to notice where police personnel violated the Uttar Pradesh Government Servants Conduct Rules by using social media during official duty hours and making improper videos in uniform and uploading them.
The list of prohibited activities include:
-No personal use of social media during government work.
-Police personnel are prohibited from making reels/videos in uniform during duty hours and posting them.
-Police personnel can’t earn through social media platforms until due permission is granted by the government.
-They are prohibited from promoting personal, commercial or any product through social media platforms.
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-No police personnel can comment against colleagues, senior officers, government, any political party or politician on social media platforms.
-Police personnel cannot make friends or follow any element on social media platforms who are involved in anti-social and criminal activities.
-Police personnel cannot use social media platforms to resolve service-related issues by making videos, statements.
