Tech helps curb graft in policing

Hyderabad: Inclusion of technology in policing to bring in transparency and accountability has brought down corruption in the state police department.

The decade-old perception among residents about police high-handedness has changed after certain initiatives were taken by the government.

A few among these are providing monthly maintenance charges to each police station, non-contact enforcement, tracking of police personnel posted on the field and creating separate means to measure their performance and reward them for services rendered each month.

“Earlier, traffic police personnel were seen camping at certain locations to note traffic violations holding books in their hands,” additional director-general Mr Jitender said.

“In several instances, even if officers were collecting money towards penalty, it looked like they were collecting a bribe to let off rule violators without penalty. This has gone now with the implementation of non-contact enforcement.” 

With non-contact enforcement, residents need not pay money to any police personnel when stopped. The penalty can be paid online or by visiting the nearest traffic booth.

“Now, we have evidence against the violator. They are given e-challans and sent text messages on their registered mobile number about the violation. Only at a few places, and for drunk driving, motorists are stopped to check for violations of the MV (Motor Vehicle) Act,” the additional DG said. 

“Otherwise, mostly, violators are penalised on the basis of live footage from CCTV cameras. Since the inception of non-contact enforcement, there have been no allegations about traffic personnel demanding money.”

Explaining other reasons for dip in corruption, another senior official said, “Every police station in the state is given a monthly maintenance amount. In cities, it is Rs 75,000 per month, in towns Rs 50,000 and in rural areas Rs 25,000. Now, senior officials ask the subordinates if they demand money from the public and take action. Similar efforts were put in for passport verification, where the state average is just four days, while the national average is 21 days.”

He further said, “The state police is marching towards building a new image. An example of this is receiving awards from the Union home ministry. An award was also given by the ministry of external affairs for best passport verification. The initiatives implemented in Hyderabad will be extended across the state and deliver policing better,” the official said.