ZRP threatens action against police content creators on social media

Zimbabwe’s top police operations chief has had enough, and he wants every officer’s uniform selfie off social media. Now.

Deputy Commissioner General Learn Ncube fired off an urgent nationwide radio signal on Monday ordering all officers to immediately pull any social media posts in which they appear dressed in police uniform – or face disciplinary action.

“This uncouth behaviour is seriously damaging the image of the organisation,” Ncube declared in the signal, designated RDO BD14/26 and addressed to police stations across the country.

The directive names Facebook, TikTok and WhatsApp as the platforms where officers have been caught posting in uniform without permission, a practice Ncube says has gone far enough.

“Displaying oneself in police uniform on social media platforms without authorisation is totally unacceptable and breaches the police standing rules and regulations,” he wrote.

“Such actions compromise the integrity of the organisation and undermine public trust.”

Ncube, who oversees operations at police headquarters, told provincial commanders to brief their troops without delay and make sure the message filtered down to every last officer in the service.

The order leaves no room for delay. Officers with existing posts are told to remove them immediately, not eventually, not soon. The signal warns that headquarters “observed with disgruntlement” the conduct that has been playing out online, signalling the brass had been watching for some time before deciding to act.

“As a matter of urgency, all those with posts on social media platforms whilst dressed in police uniform should immediately remove such posts,” it states bluntly.

“Disciplinary action shall be taken against those who fail to comply with this given directive.”

The crackdown comes as rank-and-file officers have increasingly taken to posting videos and photos of themselves in uniform on social media – dancing, commenting on public affairs, or simply showing off the badge – sometimes to wide audiences and not always to the command’s liking.

Ncube’s signal closes with a reminder, almost a warning, that none of this should have needed saying in the first place.

“This signal serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining professional standards and adhering to the police code of conduct,” it reads.