In major push to digital policing, Indore cops get 873 tablets

Indore: The days of investigating officers relying largely on handwritten notes and paperwork at crime scenes may soon fade into history in Indore, as police personnel investigating criminal cases are being equipped with tablets that will enable them to record evidence, prepare case records and upload information digitally from the field itself.Indore police has begun distributing tablets to investigating officers across the commissionerate as part of a broader push towards technology-driven policing and investigation. According to officers, the initiative is aimed at improving the quality of evidence collection, reducing delays in documentation and ensuring that investigations keep pace with the requirements of the country’s new criminal laws.City police commissioner Santosh Kumar Singh said a total of 873 tablets have been allotted to Indore Police, including 697 newly received devices and 176 that had been distributed earlier. The tablets are being provided especially to investigating officers posted at police stations across the city.The move assumes significance at a time when digital evidence has become central to a large number of criminal investigations. Whether it is footage captured on CCTV cameras, videos recorded on mobile phones, location data, social media activity or electronic communication, investigators are increasingly required to gather, preserve and present digital evidence in court.The tablets, according to the police, will help them document crime scenes more effectively by enabling them to capture photographs and videos, record details of searches and seizures, prepare digital case diaries and upload information through the e-investigation platform.Instead of returning to the police station and manually compiling records, investigators will now be able to update case-related information in a more organised and timely manner.The initiative also aligns with the growing emphasis on technology-based investigations under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). The new legal framework encourages greater use of electronic documentation and digital evidence during criminal investigations.Investigators are now expected to maintain stronger digital records and ensure proper documentation of various stages of an investigation.Senior police officers believe the availability of tablets at the investigation level will improve both efficiency and accountability. Digital records can be accessed more quickly, important evidence can be preserved in a systematic manner and supervisory officers can monitor the progress of investigations more effectively.Commissioner Singh, along with senior officers of the commissionerate, interacted with investigating officers and reviewed the training process associated with the new devices for collection of evidence digitally.Apart from distributing the tablets, the commissionerate also conducted training sessions to familiarise officers with their use. Investigating officers were trained in digital evidence management, online case diary maintenance, cybercrime investigation techniques and the handling of electronic records. Officers were also briefed on preserving digital evidence in a manner that can withstand scrutiny during forensic examination and court proceedings.The training component is as important as the devices themselves, officers said, adding that with cyber frauds, online scams and technology-enabled crimes on the rise, investigators are increasingly required to deal with electronic records and digital trails. Proper handling of such evidence could play a crucial role in securing convictions.“The nature of crime is changing rapidly and police investigations must evolve accordingly. Technology has become an essential component of modern policing and the use of digital tools would help investigators conduct faster, more transparent and evidence-based investigations,” Commissioner Singh said.