.jpg)
RECENTLY, a Kelantanese police contingent personnel was reprimanded for uploading a TikTok of herself while in uniform.
On one hand, we understand that her actions may have breached the police force’s code of conduct, but is disciplinary action really necessary?
Society has often jumped to the conclusion that social media – with TikTok being the latest iteration – is a waste of time and intellectually vacuous.
Yes, much of the content on social media has the effect of making you question your existence, and feels like a waste of time as you scroll through video after video.
Yet, there has been much in the way of quality and informational content since TikTok arrived on the scene.
For example, there is Informational content from dentists to therapists, and even educational content for teachers, from teachers.
So there is indeed an array of beneficial content being created.
Social media has swung its doors wide open for individuals to share their lives and professions with the wider world.
On that account, does a dancing police officer really put a damper on the respectability of a career in law enforcement?
In response to the Kelantan personnel’s actions, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Abdul Hamid Bador told reporters, “This blue (police) uniform is sacred, so it is not nice if we wear the uniform and perform acts that don’t suit the work culture.”
Still, instead of directing our focus on more dire issues like corruption that actually tarnishes the sanctity of the uniform, why are we spending taxpayers' hard-earned money to discipline a TikToker?
In reality, this Kelantanese personnel is not the first individual in the police force to post #policetiktok content online.
We see it everywhere from the Philippines to America.
Each piece of content created both bring awareness and shows a different side of the profession that we don’t often see in person, making the career and the people who work it more human, more personal.
Unsurprisingly, this officer is not the only one who has been under fire for posting ‘unprofessional’ content.
As one of the pioneer therapists who shared tips, awareness and understanding of mental health, Michelin Maalouf, from Syria was criticised.
Admittingly, this is different from posting dancing memes, nonetheless, it still sheds a different light on the profession.
Instead of the stoic image often put forward that police officers are all serious and have no sense of fun, these social media posts help make the profession more approachable.
Youngsters can start looking up to these professions knowing that they can still have fun while doing something noble. – The Vibes, December 11, 2020
