In an order issued on Tuesday, Vineet Goyal, the commissioner of Kolkata police, has directed all on-duty police officers, particularly those engaged in law-and-order duties, sentry duties and mobile patrol duties to refrain from using mobile phones unless for emergency calls or for official purposes.
The order circulated across the rank and file of the city police mentioned: “It is hereby ordered that all the police personnel of Kolkata Police while performing Govt. duties, particularly law & order duties, picket/ sentry duties, and mobile duties (HRFS/QRT), shall not use mobile phone for activities other than making and attending emergency calls and official purposes.”
“Strict disciplinary action will be taken against the erring police personnel for acting in violation of this order,” the order further mentioned.
The move came a few weeks after the police personnel posted at the chief minister’s office in Nabanna were directed not to use mobile phones during duty hours as a result of a security breach at the chief minister’s Kalighat residence.
Several senior police officers said there was a “visible need” for the police force to be more “active and alert” while on duty.
“Many use Bluetooth ear plugs and carry out informal conversations with friends while on duty. There have been instances where personnel on sentry duty have been found to be engaged in surfing their smartphones. This is unacceptable,” said an officer in Lalbazar.
According to some police officers, it would be difficult to find out whether an ongoing conversation over the phone is for official purposes or for other reasons.
“We will have to find a way to check if the personnel engaged at the sentry duty or patrol duty are not unnecessarily busy browsing the internet or watching any show on the OTT,” said an officer of the central division.
