Himachal Pradesh: SHOs, DSPs barred from interacting with media without prior authorisation

Clarifying the intent behind the order, a senior police officer said that the SOP had been issued as a routine administrative measure and did not amount to a complete ban on media interaction by DSPs and SHOs. “It does not mean that DSP- and SHO-rank officers cannot interact with the media at all. They can do so after prior information to the SP and other senior officers,” the officer said.

He added that, under normal circumstances, DSPs and SHOs have been allowed to interact with the media on a day-to-day basis on law and order issues and that the new SOP was aimed at maintaining uniformity and discipline in official communication. “Such orders are issued from time to time to ensure consistency in the police department’s communication with the media,” the officer said.

The order or circular was issued from the office of Director General of Police (DGP) Ashok Tewari on Friday.