SAPS Warns Members Against Posting Uniformed Images on Personal Social Media
The South African Police Service (SAPS) has warned its members against posting photographs or videos of themselves in police uniform on personal social media accounts.
SAPS said such posts could contravene National Instruction 5 of 2017, which governs media communication by police members.
According to the instruction, SAPS members may not independently represent the police service on social media platforms. It also prohibits members from using profile pictures on private accounts that show them wearing police uniforms or displaying SAPS insignia, badges or logos.
The police service warned that members who fail to comply with the instruction could face disciplinary action.
SAPS has also reminded all employees of their responsibility to comply with the organisation’s Code of Conduct and Dress Code, emphasising that these requirements apply when members use social media in their personal capacity.
The warning comes as social media continues to blur the distinction between employees’ private online activities and their professional identities, particularly for members of law enforcement whose uniforms and insignia are closely associated with the authority of the state.
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