Duty And The Beast: TN Imposes Mobile Phone Ban On Policemen Below SI Rank

The use of mobile for police personnel below the rank of sub-inspector has been banned in Tamil Nadu as it is said to distract them from doing official duties, The Tribune has reported. Director General of Police (DGP) TK Rajendiran, issued a circular pointing at men in uniform using the mobiles to browse social media.

"It is noticed that police personnel deployed on important bandobust (security) duties, frequently use phones for Whatsapp etc, and this distracts them from discharging official duties, particularly at sensitive and critical times," said the circular.

Police officials above the rank of sub-inspector can use mobile phones while on duty only for official purpose, the circular said. The critical duties include Law and Order situation, VVIP bandobust, temple and festival bandobust.

The circular further added that unit officers can decide on the time and specific places of where the restriction is to be imposed. It asked police personnel to communicate the information to rest of the police force and announce the information during the daily roll-call.