Luther12
Elder Lister
Police officers are now turning to social media to air grievances, get attention and even share confidential matters.
And police headquarters, in a bid to contain this trend, has now directed that stern action will be taken against officers who use the platform to air grievances or share challenges they undergo in line of duty.
“The Inspector General has noted with concern that officers have developed a habit of using social media to advance their grievances without exhausting the laid down channels,” the directive read.
Most of the experiences shared have been negative and have garnered so much attention. The officers have also been gagged from talking to the media without authorisation.
“Sharing of information with the media whether verbally or otherwise must be done in accordance with the regulations. Serious disciplinary action will be taken against any officers found abusing the use of social media and sharing information with the press without authority,” the directive read.
Senior officers have attributed the perceived increase in use of social media to frustration, communication breakdown within the service and reports that some complaints are either never investigated or take too long to be investigated. Some of these complaints have caught the senior officers by surprise.
The IG has since his appointment in 2019 shied away from the media while also reducing interaction between top leadership of the police service. He, however, hosts a weekly engagement with the public through his official Twitter handle.
The officers have since been urged to channel their grievances through the Complaints and Gender Desks or the Internal Affairs Unit.
And police headquarters, in a bid to contain this trend, has now directed that stern action will be taken against officers who use the platform to air grievances or share challenges they undergo in line of duty.
“The Inspector General has noted with concern that officers have developed a habit of using social media to advance their grievances without exhausting the laid down channels,” the directive read.
Most of the experiences shared have been negative and have garnered so much attention. The officers have also been gagged from talking to the media without authorisation.
“Sharing of information with the media whether verbally or otherwise must be done in accordance with the regulations. Serious disciplinary action will be taken against any officers found abusing the use of social media and sharing information with the press without authority,” the directive read.
Senior officers have attributed the perceived increase in use of social media to frustration, communication breakdown within the service and reports that some complaints are either never investigated or take too long to be investigated. Some of these complaints have caught the senior officers by surprise.
The IG has since his appointment in 2019 shied away from the media while also reducing interaction between top leadership of the police service. He, however, hosts a weekly engagement with the public through his official Twitter handle.
The officers have since been urged to channel their grievances through the Complaints and Gender Desks or the Internal Affairs Unit.