In an extensive drive to reinforce workplace discipline, operational security, and institutional integrity across the state, Director General of Police Kailash Makwana has issued comprehensive guidelines governing social media usage by the Madhya Pradesh Police force. The directive targets growing instances of uniformed personnel posting video content, engaging in online promotions, and inadvertently compromising operational secrecy. Departmental authorities emphasized that non-compliance with the newly notified norms will attract strict punitive proceedings under established civil service conduct rules.
Ban on Uniform Reels and Unbecoming Digital Content
The standard operating procedures address activities across major digital networks, including Facebook, WhatsApp, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and affiliated platforms. Police personnel are expressly barred from filming or uploading video reels, photographic material, audio clips, or related media while wearing the official uniform or any unbecoming attire, whether on active duty or during off-duty hours. Personnel who have previously published inappropriate material have been ordered to take down the posts immediately, with strict institutional adherence mandated for the future.
Protection of Confidential Records and Ban on Generative AI Tools
To safeguard institutional secrecy and state security, stringent restrictions have been imposed on the transmission of government information. Personnel are strictly prohibited from scanning, taking screenshots of, or distributing official administrative documents and confidential intelligence files through any social networks. Crucially, the guidelines completely forbid uploading sensitive departmental records, classified data, or operational information to generative artificial intelligence tools such as ChatGPT and Gemini, thereby minimizing the risk of digital data leakage.
Operational Secrecy and Mandatory Disabling of Geolocation
The code establishes rigorous privacy measures for sensitive deployments, tactical operations, and VIP assignments. Officers deployed on high-risk or sensitive missions must never disclose their assigned tasks, functional responsibilities, or deployment locations on digital networks. While operating personal or official devices in designated high-security operational zones, personnel are required to turn off location services and geotagging features entirely to neutralize potential intelligence risks or digital tracking attempts.
Prohibition on Paid Promotions, Account Monetization, and Side Income
The state police headquarters has taken a stern position against the commercial exploitation of official roles. Officers and personnel cannot set up monetized social media channels or accept paid brand endorsements—whether under their own names, through family dependents, or via pseudonymous accounts—without prior formal authorization from the government. Promoting private commercial enterprises, corporations, commodities, or services on either official or personal platforms is strictly prohibited and constitutes a direct breach of Rule 16 of the Madhya Pradesh Civil Services Conduct Rules. Any member of the police force whose accounts or dependents have generated income through online platforms must submit a full disclosure of financial proceeds to the department within 30 days of the circular's issuance.
Shielding Tactical Methods, Seized Arms, and VIP Movements
The circular strictly forbids security personnel deployed on VIP or VVIP protection details from capturing selfies, recording footage, or sharing descriptions of critical security facilities. Furthermore, live broadcasting or uploading images and recordings of firearm training drills, target practice (chandmari), tactical raids, or active police crackdowns is categorically banned. Similarly, evidence collected during criminal investigations, such as seized contraband, recovered property, or confiscated weaponry, cannot be displayed on personal or public digital platforms without formal sealed packaging and legal authorization.
Safeguarding Privacy of Victims, Minors, and Witnesses
The directives explicitly emphasize adherence to fundamental privacy standards during official inquiries, investigations, and public grievance hearings. Law enforcement officers must never post or live-stream images and recordings of complainants, witnesses, suspects, or accused individuals. In essential investigative circumstances, such media may be published only after securing statutory permissions and completely obscuring facial features. Absolute anonymity must be maintained for survivors of sexual violence, rape victims, children in conflict with the law under the Juvenile Justice Act, and minors in need of institutional care and protection.
Institutional Harmony and Workplace Grievances
The leadership reiterated that professional milestones, successful crime detections, and institutional breakthroughs must be communicated strictly as collective achievements of the entire police department rather than as individual accolades. Personnel are prohibited from using emblems, symbols, or logos representing political formations or private pressure groups as their profile images. Official communications gear—including government CUG SIM cards, administrative internet connections, departmental Wi-Fi networks, IP addresses, and official email credentials—cannot be used to create or operate personal social media profiles. Finally, officers are cautioned that using social media forums to express personal employment grievances violates administrative discipline, and all workplace disputes must be routed exclusively through established superior reporting channels.
