(Courtesy Indian Express)
BENGALURU: Bengaluru City Police Commissioner B Dayananda has said that curriculum from traffic and road safety to cyber crimes should be introduced right from the primary school level.
Can you describe the initiatives taken by you after assuming charge as Commissioner of Police?
I am the 38th Police Commissioner of Bangalore. It has been in existence since 1963, so we are in the 60th year of Police Commissionerate system in Bangalore. This post has a lot of challenges. A lot of officials have also been given. We also have the power of an Executive Magistrate. Bangalore City Police has evolved and all the previous Commissioners of Police have made their own contribution to the city. It is being continued.
What kind of benefit is the city getting from the Safe City project?
The scheme was brought to my notice when I assumed office. Phase 1 is now complete. Phase 2 is in progress. It is an ambitious project of the Government of India. The state government has jointly invested Rs 667 crore for this project. Around 7,500 cameras have been installed across the city under the project and a new command center will come up next month. All our existing police control rooms and 112 Hoysala control rooms will come under this centre. All these cameras in the backend have artificial intelligence. It has facial and automatic number plate recognition capabilities. I feel it will make a big difference.
What is Lok Spandana?
To make police service people friendly, we have introduced ‘Loka Spandana’. Feedback will be sought from the public on police services. Anyone can freely and simply, quickly give feedback on how a person was treated at any police station in the city. Ratings can be given to police stations. They can give feedback about the police or any problems they have faced at the station. QR codes are also given in police station. It can be scanned to provide feedback by answering 12 to 14 simple questions. At the backend, all these are aggregated and monitored up to the commissioner level.
How are people reacting?
More problems are heard than suggestions. Feedback is coming that there is a delay in resolving the grievances of the people in the stations. 85-87% people gave positive and satisfactory answers. Received public comments on 243 Hoysala-controlled vehicles. We have also received feedback on 112 emergency number.
How would you describe the city as a police commissioner?
As long as there is society, there will be crimes. Crime control is like shaving. No one can claim that they have eradicated crime from a city or jurisdiction or completely controlled it. We should shave every day, if we don’t shave for a day it will grow back a little. If left, it will continue to grow.
Are murder cases on the rise?
According to statistics, the number of murder cases is decreasing. Crime cases are also decreasing. There is an increase in the number of cyber crimes than blood crimes.
Traffic congestion is the biggest problem in the city. What are the obstacles we have to solve it?
Bangalore has a large number of vehicles. As of today we have about 1.2 crore vehicles registered in Bengaluru, along with other vehicles from outside. We are facing a big problem because the roads are limited and there are more vehicles than the capacity. In this case, the traffic police are doing what they can. Controlling traffic, putting up signals at junctions. We are also working with other civic organizations. From work from home now everyone has started going to the office, which has exacerbated the problem.
At what age is it appropriate to introduce traffic awareness in the school curriculum?
It is considered better to integrate the curriculum on road safety with the primary level curriculum. This ensures that by the time students reach the eligible driving age, they have developed an understanding of traffic safety.
What about the availability of drugs on college campuses?
This has become a big challenge. Especially among the younger generations. A law cannot solve a problem. The collective effort of society is also important. All must face together.
Cases of cybercrime are increasing, how is surveillance on social media in this regard?
The number of cyber crimes has increased due to the number of cases originating from online platforms and content shared by people. To enhance our capabilities, every police station now has at least two constables trained in social media monitoring. Cybercrime is a significant issue. People need to understand that nothing comes for free. What information should not be shared on social media to avoid falling into the trap of fraudsters.
What is the cyber crime detection rate?
Detection rate of cybercrime is low. Our primary objective is to create awareness among the public and encourage prompt reporting of any cyber crime. Toll-free number, 1930 has been introduced to facilitate reporting.
Is the technology there to detect and solve cyber crimes?
Bangalore is a major IT hub. We have established a cyber lab. Ours is the first city in the country to establish a cyber police station. Today, every division has a Cyber Economic and Narcotics (CEN) station, equipped with the necessary technology to deal effectively with cyber crime cases. In order to provide better service to the public, we have started the process of registering cyber crime complaints in police stations as well.
Is it possible to introduce an e-FIR system for lodging complaints similar to the reporting process for vehicle theft?
The toll-free number is working effectively to handle cyber crime cases. E-FIR is likely to be considered for cyber crime reporting in future.
What do you think about amendments to sections of IPC and CrPC?
This requires a comprehensive analysis. The final decision regarding these changes rests with Parliament.
Hiring hackers to solve cyber crimes?
In cybercrime investigations, technical and cyber knowledge is important to trace the accused. In some cases we get their help.
What has been the public response to the dial booths introduced by the department for emergency calls?
Good response is coming. Distressed people are finally using these booths. Currently, 30 booths are available in the city and we are in the process of adding 20 more booths.
What about new police stations in the city?
Five new traffic stations and six women police stations are being established. The government has already issued an order for this. Police stations which are overburdened in terms of number of crimes or law and order duties are provided with more staff. 2,454 policemen will be recruited in two phases over the next two years.
Has the number of pick pocket cases reduced?
Yes, it is less as majority of people are mostly using digital payment.
Bangalore needs two Police Commissioners?
The decision in this regard depends on the policies of the government. But in my opinion, Bengaluru is different from other cities in having two commissioners.
Is Bengaluru police using facial recognition technology to track criminals?
Under the Safe City project, we have a large unit for facial recognition. Many of the 7,500 cameras we have installed have facial recognition capabilities.
Is data being protected well?
Fully stocked. We have our own servers. They have all the security protocols.
How do policemen relieve stress?
Stress is personal. We have consultants in the department. Anyone who has any problem can talk to them. Police is a uniform force, where there is camaraderie and uniformity.
What made you choose civil service?
I wanted to be in public service as my father was a government employee. Thus I joined IPS.
How do you manage professional and personal life?
Some personal and family sacrifices are required during service. In my case, my engagement was postponed by a day. I could not attend the christening ceremonies of my two sons. Normally leave is not denied to my subordinates. This is one of the reasons why birthday greetings have been introduced to staff. By this, it is being insisted to give leave to the staff.
Is there a shortage of staff in the department?
There is But that is a matter of perception. We can never get the number of staff we want. So we have formed the department to make best use of the available staff and leverage the technology. Every camera we install is our eyes and ears. Using technology. However, compared to other metropolitan cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai or Kolkata, we have less number of policemen per one lakh population or area wise population.
What do you think about the representation of women in the police force?
Women forces are 13-14 percent. This number is increasing. Women are doing excellent work. Many traffic and law and order centers are headed by women. There are also women ACPs and DCPs.
Is there something you wanted to change, but couldn’t?
One idea I would like to change is bringing in an eight-hour work shift. Our Hoysala staff is working 12 hours a day. Many officers and staff are working up to 15 hours. There is a need to improve in this regard.
Is maintaining law and order or traffic management becoming more challenging?
Traffic, cybercrime and drugs are all challenging tasks.
What is the latest trend in cyber crime?
Every day, every second fraudsters keep trying to cheat people in one way or the other. We keep giving cyber tips on social media every day to keep people away from fraudsters. There we are creating awareness about different types of cyber crimes and new methods of fraud.
What facilities are given to the traffic police on duty for hours?
Chowkis are provided. They protect personnel from sunlight, rain and pollution. There are 30 ‘help’ booths where the public can seek police assistance. These centers can also be used as staff rest areas as they have facilities like bunker beds and toilets. Thirty more such centers are coming up. Also, there are plans to introduce mobile toilets.
What tips would you give to citizens to avoid becoming victims of crime?
Citizens of Bangalore are quite educated, law abiding, cooperative and supportive of the police. The only advice I would like to give them is to use common sense to stay away from scammers.
