Delhi Police gets GPS for better tracking

Troubled by allegations of misuse of police vehicle and not reaching at crime scenes on time, Delhi Police has decided to fix high-tech global positioning system (GPS) on its 1,500 field vehicles.

This technology will help the police to track the movement of all vehicles.

Delhi Police also proposes to introduce "scratch pads" on police control room (PCR) vans, replacing the use of keyboard for writing messages by telephone operator to wireless operator.

"The first phase for installation of GPS device is over. We have installed high-technology devices in 450 PCR vans for their wireless uplink with the central command room. These devices will ensure round-the-clock monitoring of the vans' whereabouts through a digitised city map and also facilitate inter-connectivity of vans for proper coordination among them," Delhi Police spokesman Rajan Bhagat told Business Standard.

The contract for installation of GPS in police vehicles has been awarded to Indian IT major HCL for Rs 4.8 crore.

Bhagat further said, "During the second phase, GPS technology will be extended to the police jeeps and official cars of all station house officers, assistant commissioners of police and deputy commissioners of police."

"We receive over 3,200 calls a day and to respond quickly to each and every call becomes a daunting task. To keep pace with the changing crime scenario in Delhi, we need to keep ourselves updated technologically," a police officer said.

A special control room will also be set up at the police headquarters to monitor these vehicles.

The system, officials said, would also check any misuse of any official vehicle. "We would be able to know if the staff is misusing a vehicle or not patrolling in the specified areas," an official added.

However, Bhagat refuted the reports of misuse of police vehicles for personal use by the officials.

He said, "It is just a notion in the public. But if we receive any complain regarding that, Delhi Police will take strict action against the person found guilty."