The Karnataka government has launched unified guidelines for the police department to ensure responsible and transparent communication with the public regarding law and order, criminal investigations, and public safety, stated Home Minister Priyank Kharge. The guidelines, issued by the Office of the Director General and Inspector General of Police (DG & IGP), establish a structured approach for sharing information with the media, revealing details on criminal investigations, and issuing public communications at all police department levels.
The new protocol mandates police stations, district police offices, city police commissionerates, and specialized police units in the state to adhere to a consistent communication framework when engaging with the media. This initiative aims to prevent misinformation dissemination while upholding the confidentiality of ongoing investigations.
Under the updated guidelines, Police Sub-Inspectors, Circle Inspectors, and Station House Officers are authorized to disclose only initial information concerning incidents within their jurisdiction. At the district level, Superintendents of Police, City Police Commissioners, and heads of specialized units will be responsible for providing official information to the media.
The guidelines also prohibit unauthorized disclosure of information related to criminal investigations, intelligence inputs, sensitive cases, cybercrime, organized crime, and legal proceedings. Police personnel are instructed not to share any details that could impede investigations without proper authorization, including evidence, accused statements, intelligence inputs, First Information Reports (FIRs), case diaries, or other investigation-related documents.
Emphasizing responsible behavior on social and other media platforms, the guidelines designate specific officers to communicate the official stance of the police department. The Home Minister highlighted that the unified communication policy aims to enhance transparency, accountability, and professionalism in the police department’s information-sharing practices, thereby boosting public trust.
Kharge emphasized that the government’s primary goal is to ensure accurate information dissemination to the public while safeguarding investigation confidentiality and upholding judicial process integrity.
