Cops become computer-savvy

AHMEDABAD, Oct 31: The State's police force is all set to become computer-savvy following the Gujarat Government's go-ahead for its moder...

AHMEDABAD, Oct 31: The State8217;s police force is all set to become computer-savvy following the Gujarat Government8217;s go-ahead for its modernisation. So, now, police complaints will probably be keyed into a computer and printouts available for future use. 8220;The computerisation will be complete before March 31 next year,8221; said Additional Director General of Police administration A K Bhargava.

And Ahmedabad will lead the way. The city8217;s police department will soon register a first in the country by computerising its operations, with uplinking facilities from the police station level onwards. For a start, 50 computers will be purchased.

All 30 police stations in the city will be given with a computer each and these linked with the Office of the Commissioner of Police, Ahmedabad, sources said. Even the language barrier has been thought of, with the proposed purchase of Gujarati language keyboards.

8220;Gujarat police will be ahead of all other states in this regard,8221; an officer said.

While the department already has a computer system which is well connected with New Delhi, its service is under-utilised, authorities admit.

This time around 8220;we are thinking of linking all the computers; the commissioner will be able to access data in a police station,8221; said a police officer. 8220;There will also be constant updating; if there is a murder for instance, the number of murders will be immediately increased,8221; he said.

The major advantages lie, however, in the accountability of policemen, and the convenience to the complainant as well as the judiciary. 8220;If someone is not writing his diary at the police station, we will come to know,8221; said the officer. The First Information Reports which are presently handwritten, if taken on a computer, will present a much more legible document for the policemen as well as the court, policemen feel.

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Meanwhile, the State has demanded Rs 10 crore from the Centre for modernisation of the police force.