Police officers censored over use of social media platforms

The National Police Service (NPS) has outlined stringent measures relating to the use of social media platforms on both personal and work related capacity.

This comes after blogger Robert Alai published photos of policemen who were killed in Sunday’s terror attack in Wajir.

According to Mr Alai, the photos were allegedly sent to him by police officers who were asking him to help them highlight their issues.

The publication of the gruesome photos on social media platforms was met by a backlash from the NPS and National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC), which termed it an act of glorifying terrorism.

The NPS on Tuesday afternoon shared on their Twitter handle the Acts that govern how police officers use their social media on personal level and when at work.

“To avoid any risk of inadvertently posting inappropriate, confidential or sensitive information employees are encouraged to instead forward the images or information to the media relation officer at the respective Service headquarters for assessment and posting on social media site,” read part of the statute quoted by the NPS.

{ Read: Blogger Robert Alai arrested by police in Nairobi }

The officers, according to the law, have the freedom to enter public debate and comment on issues strictly as private citizens.

“A police officer contacted by the media about posts on their social media sites that relate to the whole service or part, shall talk to their superiors and the police media relations office before responding,” read the act.

They are further required not to disclose that they are employees of NPSC with those posting offensive, racists, tribal or obscene material being subjected to disciplinary procedure.

USE OF SOCIAL MEDIA IN THE NATIONAL POLICE SERVICE.

Link:https://t.co/S7kwKVNb7s pic.twitter.com/hbSQL9rVRu

— National Police Service-Kenya (@NPSOfficial_KE) June 18, 2019

Police spokesman Charles Owino had on Tuesday strongly criticised Alai’s post, saying it amounted to propaganda for war. The blogger has since been arrested.