SHIMLA, Dec 19— The Himachal Pradesh Police has barred officers below the rank of Superintendent of Police from interacting with the media on official matters, including crime, law and order, and investigations, according to a circular issued by the Director General of Police.
Under the new directions, only district SPs and Range Deputy Inspectors General of Police are authorised to formally brief or interact with the media, and even they must obtain prior approval from Police Headquarters.
The circular states that officers below the SP rank, including Sub-Divisional Police Officers and Station House Officers, are prohibited from issuing statements, comments or reactions to print, electronic or social media in their official capacity. They are also barred from giving interviews or briefings unless specifically authorised in writing by the competent authority.
“All other officers are debarred from addressing the media on official issues,” the order said.
The directive places responsibility on supervisory officers to ensure the instructions are followed at every level. Any violation, the circular warned, “shall be viewed seriously and may attract disciplinary action under the relevant service rules and police laws.”
