Bangalore Police set to become more technology savvy

The government is trying to procure portable X-ray machines, PCR vans, patrolling vehicles, GPS dial-100 system and bomb suits, among others

Policing in Bangalore appears set to be increasingly technology-driven in future as Karnataka plans to roll out the Mega City Policing (MCP) concept here. City Police Commissioner Raghavendra Auradkar said on Thursday after a meeting with Home Minister K J George, that under the initiative, the thrust would be on CCTV surveillance systems, multi-function devices and control and command centre, among others.

Bangalore is among the six cities - apart from Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Chennai - included in the MCP under the MPF scheme of the Union government. Officials said the government has taken steps to also procure portable X-ray machines, PCR (police control room) vans, patrolling vehicles, GPS dial-100 system and bomb suits, among others. Officials said the scheme is useful for tackling new kinds of crimes in cities like Bangalore. Auradkar said community policing concept, under the name "Spandana" - would be introduced in all police stations in Bangalore in partnership with Non-Government Organisations and local citizens, with the initiative particularly focused on women and child issues.

Bangalore Police Commissionerate, established in 1963, has decided to celebrate its golden jubilee by organising a parade, in the presence of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, with mementos proposed to be presented to police staff - from constable to the level of sub-inspector.

An all-India city police commissioners' conference would be held in Bangalore in November under auspices of the Bureau of Police Research and Development in November, Auradkar said. It was agreed at the meeting that the services of home-guards would be utilised for non-core policing in the city to supplement the tasks of Bangalore police, which is facing a shortage of 2,900 personnel of the sanctioned strength of 12,700, he said.

George said 8,000 police constables would be recruited in Karnataka during the current financial year. He said the central prison here - Parappana Agrahara - would be expanded, adding, the department is in the final stage of acquiring 20 acres of land adjacent to the currently overcrowded jail.

The Minister stressed on modernisation of all prisons in the State, advocating introduction of bio-metric systems to replace the old, conventional locking devices and installation of CCTV surveillance cameras at all places, noting that Parappana Agrahara didn't even have a tower. George said guidelines have been prepared vis-a-vis release of prisoners who have completed 14-years imprisonment and those who were unable to pay a small fee to get them released. The list of such persons would be sent to Governor H R Bhardwaj for their release on October 2.