- However, Police to crackdown if ‘doctored’ footage is released on social media to ‘incite’
The Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) Priyantha Weerasooriya has advised Police officers not to prevent members of the public videotaping their (Police) duties and activities, but has indicated that action may be taken if such videos are edited and released on social media platforms with the intention of inciting public hatred toward the Police.
A youth who recently videotaped a defender vehicle allegedly belonging to former State Minister Lohan Ratwatte, which was involved in an accident in Wariyapola, was arrested by the Police, reportedly for obstructing their duties.
Following discussions about the incident, Weerasooriya, in a circular dated 30 October, informed several categories of senior Police officers that the public frequently videotapes Police officers' duties and activities. He noted reports of the relevant Police officers blaming the public for this, confiscating the mobile phones used for videotaping, and even arresting the civilians involved.
“It has been observed that mostly, the public has videotaped illegal, undisciplined, and unethical acts of Police officers. The Police officers should be informed that the videotaping of Police officers duties or other activities has not been prevented through any legislation. Further, as per the Evidence (Special Provisions) Act, No. 14 of 1995, such unedited video footage can be used as evidence by both the complainant and the suspect in a civil or criminal case. Such video footage also helps initiate disciplinary action against any Police officers who violate discipline, and to correct such behaviour,” he said.
Considering the situation, Weerasooriya instructed senior Police officers including Senior Deputy Inspectors General of Police, to inform all Police officers under them not to prevent the public videotaping their duties or other activities. However, if such video footage is edited to incite public hatred against the Police and is released on social media platforms, he said that this directive should not prevent action against the relevant individuals.