Presence of Delhi police on social media platforms – Recommendation of Parliamentary Committee

Presence of Delhi police on social media platforms through awareness campaign – Recommendation of Parliamentary Committee: Action Taken Report

PARLIAMENT OF INDIA
RAJYA SABHA
DEPARTMENT-RELATED PARLIAMENTARY STANDING COMMITTEE ON HOME AFFAIRS
TWO HUNDRED FORTIETH REPORT

ACTION TAKEN BY GOVERNMENT ON THE RECOMMENDATIONS/ OBSERVATIONS CONTAINED IN THE TWO HUNDRED THIRTY EIGHTH REPORT ON DEMANDS FOR GRANTS (2022-23) OF THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS
(Presented to Rajya Sabha on 13th December, 2022)
(Laid on the Table of Lok Sabha on 13th December, 2022)

Presence of Delhi police on social media platforms through awareness campaign

Recommendations/Observations in respect of which replies of the Government have not been accepted by the Committee

Observation/Recommendation

3.7.13 The Committee notes that Delhi police is active on social media platforms. However, it has 6,86,900 followers on Twitter (as on 23rd February, 2022), which is very less, as Delhi has a population of more than 2 crores and residents of Delhi have huge presence on social media platforms. Therefore, the Committee recommends that the Delhi police should publicize their presence on social media platforms through awareness campaign and live interactive sessions with public. This will go a long way in building trust, confidence and create a sustainable relationship of Delhi police with the masses.

(Para 4.4.19 ibid)

Action Taken

3.7.14 Delhi Police has informed that the following system is in place regarding Delhi Police presence in Social Media platforms:

(i) A dedicated Social Media Center is functioning round the clock at Police Headquarters to look into the issues related to policing and law and order in Delhi and responds to any query/post, if a citizen raises an issue through a social media platform, it is intimated to the District/Unit concerned immediately.

(ii) There are also handles of DCsP/Districts/Unit from which they are regularly posting their good work and other initiatives related to community policing. Delhi Police & Commissioner of Police, Delhi have their separate verified SMP handles & pages from which regular updates & messages related to policing are being posted for the citizens of Delhi.

(iii) A Creative Team of professionals has also been roped in with the work of Social Media Center to share regular posts related to safety and security, Covid-19 appropriate behaviour, cyber awareness, traffic advisories etc. on various social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. The task assigned to the Creative Team also includes Topical Issues.

(iv) Delhi Police is the first police force in the country to initiate a podcast name ‘Kissa Khaki Ka’ wherein it brings unheard stories of crimes, investigations, hearts and humanity of Delhi Police personnel. 14 such Podcasts have been published on Social Media Platforms till now through Delhi Police handles.

(v) Delhi Police conducts a live question & answer session named ‘Ask Me Anything’ on Twitter for the citizens of Delhi to address their queries on various issues related to police. Seven such sessions have been conducted till now.

(vi) Delhi Police has launched monthly e-magazine named ‘Kissa Khaki Ka’ which is a chronicle of significant events and milestones of Delhi Police are being projected on Social Media. Two editions of the e-Newsletter have been launched till now and uploaded on Delhi Police Website.

(vii) Delhi Police through its Social Media handles has also launched “Know Your Delhi Police” initiatives to inform the general public about its policing initiatives and schemes.

(viii) All major programmes and events organised by districts/ units are covered by the social media team to project their positive impact through Social Media platforms.

3.7.15 As on 12th April, 2022, the followers of Delhi Police on Twitter has increased to 7,05,183.

Further Recommendation/Observation

3.7.16 The Committee notes that the Delhi Police Department has established a positive presence on social media platforms. However, the Committee believes that, given the population of Delhi, there is room for significant improvement since the number of Delhi Police followers on Twitter has only increased marginally from 6,86,900 to 7,05,183. (from 23rd February to 12th April, 2022). The Committee, therefore, recommends that the Delhi Police should increase the efforts to improve their social media presence and encourage individuals in the National Capital Region to connect with the Delhi Police on social media platforms. The Committee would also like to be apprised of the average response time of Delhi Police when a citizen raises a query/issue on social media sites.