Delhi Police ropes in smart technology for the force's modernization and citizens' welfare
Ujjawala Nayudu
New Delhi, April 18,
While aiding the implementation of COVID-19 restrictions and ensuring health of their own policemen, the Delhi Police converted challenges into opportunities and developed and implemented critical projects with cutting edge technology to aide citizens and policemen both equally well.
Delhi Police Commissioner SN Shrivastava boosted the use of technology in last one year for better and faster investigations and aiding up gradation of police intelligence and equipment.
CP Shrivastava emphasized, “We came up with the e-Beat Book for policemen- a digital solution for data collection, analysis and retrieval processes. Now, a Beat officer can have all relevant data i.e. crime, criminal, dossier, finger print, vehicle registration etc. on one hand held device, while working anywhere. Similarly, we started ICMS- Integrated Complaint Monitoring System (ICMS) is an innovative, unified platform for lodging and monitoring complaints. Every complaint on the ICMS is monitored digitally and the complainant is apprised about the status of enquiry on his complaint”.
He added, “The Samadhan service which we just launched has received immense response from citizens. Our Tatpar app- the SOS Button provided on the home screen to enable a user to place a call on an emergency contact number (SOS) of their choice or to reach out to the Police Control Room with a single touch. The Himmat plus app is an emergency response system especially for women citizens where the women can register their auto rickshaw or cab number, send a SOS where the alert with video and audio reached Delhi Police Control Room”.
BW Policeworld took a look at some of their modernization and up gradation projects:-
E Beat Book- A Beat is the basic unit of police functioning and is the cutting edge interface between police and citizens. The data pertaining to crime, criminals, vital installations, important places, religious places etc. has been traditionally collected and compiled in a paper Beat Book following the applicable Punjab Police Rules (PPR). With the e beat book, Delhi Police has changed the traditional paradigm of policing. This use embedded Facial Recognition System (FRS) to verify a suspect against a central database, get information and alerts regarding Jail/Bail releases through CCTNS and can lodge BC checking reports digitally from the field.
The e-Beat Book functions on intuitive data analytics and extraction at all levels, which in turn facilitates effective policing, prevention and detection of crime and improvement of strategies. A beat officer can see crime hot spots on the dashboard and plan his patrolling and local crime containment strategy accordingly.
It is currently operational in 1,752 beats. Over 2.8 million data entries have been uploaded on its server till 31st December 2020 which includes verification of 3,400 Bad Characters and 5,400 jail released persons. Over 35,000 verifications of servants and tenants have also been carried out in this short period using this technological marvel.
Analytics by ICMS : The Integrated Complaint Monitoring System (ICMS) is an innovative, unified platform for lodging and monitoring complaints. Every complaint on the ICMS is monitored digitally and the complainant is apprised about the status of enquiry on his complaint. The ICMS is integrated with the CCTNS platform. Server level analytics help in identifying affected areas with ‘problem type’ identification of clusters to assist in formulating area specific crime prevention strategy. It improves monitoring of complaints at senior levels and in their timely disposal.
Diversifying and Augmenting CCTNS: The CCTNS Project aims at creating a comprehensive and integrated system for enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of policing through adoption of principles of e-Governance and creation of a nationwide networked infrastructure for evolution of IT-enabled State-of-the-Art tracking system. CCTNS also provides for a citizen’s interface for delivery of several policing services to citizens. Delhi Police implemented this since 2016 however they further developed the CCTNS with integration with other applications of Delhi Police like ERSS 112, e-motor vehicle theft FIR, e-property theft FIR, crime & criminal information system, criminal dossier system, automatic finger & palm print identification system and e-beat book etc. CCTNS promotes legitimacy by ensuring central server time stamping on investigation documents, leaving no room for any tampering or adjustments. Overall, 25 citizen services are available on Delhi CCTNS module including the following nine mandatory services:
The CCTNS database increased substantially with 97,848 FIRs, 273 General Diaries, 16,296 Missing Persons, 810 Zero FIRs, 98,281 Crime Details, 1,25,758 Arrested Accused details, 40,696 Seized Properties details and 77,838 Final Forms. With this, Delhi Police has abolished manual maintenance of several registers like Roznamcha, Complaint Register, Missing Person Register, PCR Call Register, Kalandra Register, FIR and Zero FIR Register etc.
E-Malkhana : Caring for and Preserving Case Properties by e-Malkhana Management of case properties has often been considered as one of the unsatisfactory aspects of policing. Delhi Police, through e-Malkhana Scheme, has progressively digitized all case properties lying in its 180+ police stations, by assigning unique Bar Code IDs along with appropriate packaging. All required details of a case property along with its photographs are uploaded in the e-Malkhana software.
Tatpar App : Various units of Delhi Police have their own websites, web applications and mobile applications to facilitate citizen of Delhi in their day-to-day needs related to police. Previously, individual mobile applications were required to be installed separately for use. For using web applications, the concerned URLs were required to be remembered. To overcome these issues, a unified mobile app namely Delhi Police One Touch Away was launched. This mobile app contained URL links to all the websites and mobile applications. Subsequently, a need was felt to integrate all the websites and mobile apps provided by Delhi Police in such a way that they are available as a single service and the user need not look any further to avail the existing as well as the upcoming services.
This was realized when Delhi Police One Touch Away mobile app was migrated to ‘Tatpar Delhi Police’. With this single app, the citizens of Delhi can access all services from a single platform and through this; the objective of ‘generating trust’ has been emphatically attained.
E-Varta : Ensuring Social Distancing on Work by e-Varta
During COVID-19 restriction, video conferencing has emerged as new concept and tool of convening sampark sabha, meeting complainants, conducting trainings and for tendering court evidence etc. Delhi Police is using it widely in all possible spheres including in court. It has all benefits of saving travel time, efficient personal time management and improved transparency. Video conferencing also helped in holding meetings in short notices with participants from different units having their offices far away from the office of convener.
Delhi Police installed IT systems at district level offices from where complainants, on assigned date and time, can interact with the Commissioner of Police and other senior officers through e-Varta for redressal of their grievances.
ERSS 112 Emergency Response Support System : 112 is the single emergency number nationwide which integrates the services of erstwhile 100,101 and 102. Delhi’s ERSS 112 functions from the Integrated Complex, Shalimar Bagh, Delhi and carries out integrated handling of all type of distress calls like Police Assistance, Medical & Fire, improvements in response time of PCR Vans and other police resources to the caller’s location, elimination of manual handling of calls, maintaining accurate accounts of events, manpower & vehicle tracking and management with the overall objective of achieving excellence in SMART policing & prevention of crime.
Prompt Escalation & Careful Supervision by C4i : The Police Control Room receives thousands of calls every day from distress callers. Calls based on severity and priorities are despatched to different units for necessary action. The calls which require personal monitoring by senior formations are escalated using the Integrated Command Control Co-ordination and Communication System (C4i) facility. The professionally trained operators at C4i analyze situations, monitor them closely, accelerate response and improve police efficiency at every stage of a situation.
Ensuring a Guardian’s Watch using CCTVs : Having digital eyes was always a source of strength for Delhi Police. Over the years, no less than 4,300 CCTV Cameras have been commissioned in over 30 locations. They are supplemented with ANPR Cameras on Delhi’s borders and on the Outer Ring Road, Ring Road, GT Karnal Road etc. to check over-speeding and to track stolen vehicles. Now, this is being further strengthened by the progressive installation of 2,727 CCTV Cameras in New Delhi area, 6,630 special CCTV Cameras to comprehensively map ‘crime prone areas’ and 820 CCTV Cameras under the MPLAD scheme. To generate quality outputs from these digital eyes, progressive integration of FRS is being undertaken and a credible dataset is not only created but is also under continuous refinement.
The Flying Vanguards Drones : While CCTVs signify wired/unwired eyes on ground, drone technology is for eyes in the sky. Delhi Police has been using drones for surveillance in major law and order arrangements. In managing Covid-19, drones were extensively used for effective implementation of movement restrictions, monitoring containment zones, violations of social distancing and passing useful directions through PA Systems.
Prakhar Vans : In a major step forward, a total of 88 PRAKHAR vans, equipped with Mobile Data Terminal, Communication Devices and Body Worn Cameras have also been launched under the Safe City Project. The Mobile Data Terminals or MDTs are integrated with C4i and ERSS-112 Control Room. The details of an incident, captured through CCTV Cameras and results of analytics can be shared for facilitating identification of the suspect, location, etc. It can also track criminals or vehicles from data available in Delhi Police Data Sets integrated with C4i. The communication device on the PRAKHAR van is used for communication with the chain of command for seeking guidance and to share incident details.
Gantry/Cantilever Mounted Automatic Speed Violation Detection System (SVDS) : This system has been installed at 54 locations all over Delhi. It records images of vehicles committing speed limit violations and transmits the same to the Command Centre established at Traffic Headquarters, Todapur. The Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) in the system converts the image of a Number Plate in digital format for database use. The same is intimated on the mobile number of registered owner of the subject vehicle alongwith the web-link of Violation Notice issued the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. On an average, 11,000 violations are detected by the system per day.
The SVDS has had a significant impact in controlling traffic violations as well as in curbing over speeding tendencies of motorists, which reduces traffic accidents and improves road safety. This will be integrated with ITMS
Integrated Traffic Management System (ITMS) : The ITMS, once functional, shall thoroughly overhaul the functioning of the Traffic Unit of Delhi Police. The ‘Intelligent’ in ITMS would aid in reducing the travel time for road users, tracing of stolen cars, prosecuting vehicles that evade traffic signals/ tickets and by use of Artificial Intelligence, it will help in creating green corridors in cases of emergency. A multi-dimensional project of acute importance, it has received an in-principal approval from the MHA, GoI and CDAC, as the Total Service Provider (TSP), will implement this project for Delhi Police.
Red Light and Speed Violation Detection system (RLVD) : This system has been installed at 37 junctions all over Delhi and detects violations of (i) stop line, (ii) traffic signal, (iii) over-speeding and (iv) movement against the flow of traffic. This system has been installed at 54 locations all over Delhi. It records images of vehicles committing speed limit violations and transmits the same to the Command Centre established at Traffic Headquarters, Todapur.
The Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) in the system converts the image of a Number Plate in digital format for database use. The Notices U/s 133 MV Act, 1988 are issued through SMS on the mobile number of registered owner of the subject vehicle. On an average, 3,000 violations are detected by the system per day.
The RLVD system has curbed traffic signal violations and has brought transparency in prosecution of violators with electronic evidence instantly available for prosecution. This will be integrated with ITMS
Safe City : The project envisages setting up technology-enabled surveillance system, 24x7 real time video-based analytics, quick and effective emergency response system and dedicated emergency vehicles for women in distress on a single platform.
With the current emphasis on using technology, the project received fresh impetus and an MoU between Delhi Police and C-DAC for selection of Master System Integrator (MSI) and Internet Service Provider has been signed on 26th November 2020. The project is scheduled to be commissioned by April 2022. Upon completion, it will have 10,000 CCTV cameras in areas prone to more crime against women. An Emergency Operation Centre for quick response to women in distress equipped with 24X7 Real Time Video Analytics including Facial Recognition, Automatic Number Plate Recognition, etc. will be supplemented by a fleet of dedicated 88 Emergency Response Vehicles and two hi-tech Mobile Command Control Centers.
The Delhi Police is also working on a tool to identify and respond to public complaints on social media like Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, etc.
The Delhi have taken the lead in initiatives like making the CCTNS accessible at beat level through e-Beat Book, operationalizing ICMS, adopting ICJS for a totally digital interface between various components of the criminal justice system and using e-office, e-HRMS and e-Sparrow for better human resource management. These innovative steps are certain to offer better services to citizens, improve transparency, increase efficiency and reduce response time to ensure that the trust and legitimacy of the force amongst citizens is further enhanced.
The Delhi Police is now geared up to use GIS in CCTV surveillance and systems health monitoring, Server level analytics to generate actionable intelligence from interrogation reports of terrorists, drug peddlers and other criminals. An algorithm-based solution for easy consumption of videos from crime scenes and seized mobile phones to generate useful insights for aiding investigation is also under development.
