Don’t seek publicity, stay away from social media: Amit Shah to IPS probationers

Home Minister Amit Shah Thursday advised Indian Police Service probationers to avoid social media and not chase after publicity. Shah asked them to be sensitive towards the concerns of the poor, Dalits and tribal people, a Home Ministry statement said.

“There are allegations of no action and extreme action against the police. …The police should avoid these and move towards just action… Just action means natural action and the police should understand the law and do the right thing,” Shah was quoted as saying during a virtual address to the probationary officers of the 72nd IPS batch.

According to the statement, the Home Minister said “communication and sensitivity” is necessary to improve the image of the police, and so there is a need to sensitize all police personnel and increase public contact.

“…therefore police officers of the level of Superintendent of Police and Deputy Superintendent of Police should go to tehsils and villages and meet people and stay overnight,” he said.

Shah cautioned against publicity and use of social media. “Officers of All India Services, especially IPS officers, should stay away from publicity. The urge to seek publicity hinders work… Although it is difficult to stay away from social media in the present times, police officers should stay away from it and focus on their duties. Before leaving the police academy, all of you should take a vow that every day you will make a note in your diary whether the work you have done was done only for the sake of publicity,” he said.

Emphasising on the need for scientific investigation, the Home Minister said that the more scientific and evidence-based the investigations will be, the less the need for manpower. According to MHA, he said that police officers should start such a project in which the available manpower can be better and more optimally utilized.

Shah said that the concept of “Side Posting” has come in the police system. He said one should avoid thinking of such concepts because there is no such work in the police system which is not of importance, MHA said.

According to the statement, Shah said constables make up 85 per cent of the strength in the police forces and are an important part of the police system.

Police officers from Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives and Mauritius also participated in the programme.