The Himachal Pradesh Police Department has implemented a new directive regulating how its officers communicate with the press. The order mandates that Station House Officers (SHOs) and Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSPs) must now obtain prior authorization before engaging with media representatives on official matters.
New Protocol for Police-Media Communication
According to the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) issued on Friday from the office of Director General of Police (DGP) Ashok Tewari, only officers holding the rank of Superintendent of Police (SP) and Deputy Inspector General (DIG) or above are automatically authorized to speak to the media. The directive effectively channels official communication through senior leadership.
The police department has grounded this order in existing legal frameworks. The SOP cites provisions from the Punjab Police Rules, 1934, the Himachal Pradesh Police Act, 2007, and the Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1964. These references underline the department's intent to establish a regulated and uniform communication mechanism within the force.
Clarification from Senior Police Leadership
A senior police officer moved quickly to clarify the intent behind the order, emphasizing that it should not be interpreted as a complete media blackout for junior officers. The officer described the SOP as a routine administrative measure aimed at ensuring consistency in the department's external communications.
"It does not mean that DSP- and SHO-rank officers cannot interact with the media at all," the officer stated. "They can do so after prior information to the SP and other senior officers." The officer further explained that under normal day-to-day circumstances, especially concerning law and order updates, DSPs and SHOs would still be permitted to interact with the press.
Aim for Uniformity and Discipline
The primary objective of the new protocol, according to the senior officer, is to maintain uniformity and discipline in official communication. By requiring prior intimation to supervising officers, the department seeks to prevent contradictory or uncoordinated statements from being released to the public.
"Such orders are issued from time to time to ensure consistency in the police department’s communication with the media," the officer reiterated, framing the move as part of standard administrative practice rather than an extraordinary clampdown.
The issuance of this SOP highlights the ongoing effort by police departments across India to manage their public image and control the flow of sensitive information. While it streamlines the official voice, it also raises questions about the speed and accessibility of information from the ground level, where SHOs and DSPs are often the first points of contact during incidents.
