For better outreach, cops to standardise social media handles
Social media handles of Twitter has been standardised, while that of Facebook and Instagram are in process and will be done soon. Police personnel can use the platforms to publicise initiatives or good work, beyond regular policing.
PK SINGH, additional director general of police CID (crime branch)
Rajasthan police have issued directions to standardise social media handles even though its outreach is lesser compared to some other state police forces.
The Rajasthan state police handle has 2,532 followers on Facebook, on Twitter it has 5,493 and 149 Instagram followers.
Rajasthan lags far behind in terms followers compared to Uttar Pradesh with 70,000 followers on Facebook and more than four lakh on Twitter but is ahead of Madhya Pradesh that has 1,321 followers on Twitter.
In a circular issued by the office of additional director general of police CID (crime branch) PK Singh, directed to the state police to standardise the process of social media handles of district and range police units.
The circular, addressed to inspectors general of police and superintendents of police commissioner of police, deputy commissioner of police and then government railway police.
Singh said at present, the state police have its handles on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram with the handle of @PoliceRajasthan.
The ADG’s office has directed that the logo of the Rajasthan police used by the state police headquarters refrain from putting individual pictures as display or cover photo and use cover picture, which enhances the display police image of landmark location of the district or picture of police offices and stations.
“Social media handles of Twitter has been standardised, while that of Facebook and Instagram are in process and will be done soon,” said Singh.
Social media platform are being used to create awareness and give information to people about safety, security measures, traffic regulations among others, he said, adding that such platforms will also help people during emergencies such as earthquake, fire, or any other natural calamity and the administration can provide people with helpline numbers.
“Our police personnel can use the platforms to publicise initiatives or good work, beyond regular policing.
“Besides, people can assist the police and become the eyes and the ears for our good and bad work. Soon we will be uploading a list of wanted criminals on the platforms.”
Speaking about the use of social media in policing, a senior official recalled that in 2014, a person in Jhalawar, was murdered and the photographs of the accused started coming in on the WhatsApp handle of police monitored by the district superintendent of police.
Following a tip-off, action was taken and within few hours and five of the nine accused were arrested and found guilty during the preliminary investigation, he said.
To assist people, police in a number of districts have started a WhatsApp group, which is circulated among the people that yielded fruitful results, the official, who did not wish to be named, said.