LUCKNOW, June 21 -- In the age of reels, the Uttar Pradesh Police has decided to play party pooper-for good reason. The message: while catching criminals is encouraged, catching likes while lip-syncing in uniform is now officially off-duty. A new circular warns the 60,244 freshly recruited constables to put their phones away (at least while in uniform), barring social media posts that flout departmental rules or tarnish the khaki's image. The circular comes in the wake of several recruits posting on social media after receiving their appointment letters. It also notes that trainees have been found sharing videos related to their training online, which is discouraged under the confidentiality norms of the department. The directive was issued by additional director general of police (Law and Order), Amitabh Yash, who urged all police commissioners, senior superintendents of police and superintendents of police to ensure the recruits are informed about the social media code of conduct during their training. "The newly appointed 60,244 constables are arriving at their respective training centers, after which their training will start. In the above training, along with the traditional values of policing, training will be given on modern technical knowledge, communication skills, sensitive behaviour with citizens etc. You will be aware that social media is a powerful medium of communication and most of the policemen also keep expressing their views on social media," the statement issued by the ADG Law and Order said "It is necessary that the newly appointed constables do not violate departmental policy, rules and discipline while using social media. The Director General of Police has directed that the newly appointed constables should be made aware of the above social media policy in the training centres and its compliance should be ensured so that any unpleasant situation arising for the government and the department can be avoided," the statement said....