Why has police intelligence network failed?

PUNE: Over 18 sensational crimes involving senior citizens — ranging from thefts and robberies to murder — are pending at local police stations.
Although the first of these crimes happened four months ago, the police have got no leads whatsoever in the cases.
Aruna Paradakar’s (75) death following an attack on her in January, preceded by an assault on Sumati Abhyankar (75) in the Sahakarnagar area the same month, are the first of such crimes.
Although the police have interrogated known criminals, increased patrolling and expanded the detection branch (DB) staff at the local level, they have failed to achieve a breakthrough.
Senior police officials now admit that there is a need to review the intelligence gathering system of the Pune police. Intelligence gathering is an extremely meticulous job which has a direct bearing on the success of the entire force.
Currently, the police relies on the DB of the local police stations to solve crimes, while serious cases are usually investigated by the second police inspector at the police station concerned.
Members of the DB have their set of informers, ranging from reformed criminals, those with criminal records, rival gang members and the common man. Then there is the elite crime branch which specialises in solving major cases and has on its roll officers with “exceptional detection record�.
Criminal intelligence gathered is sent to the PCB (prevention of crime branch), from where any police official can get the information required. Commissioner of police (Pune) D.N. Jadhav told TNN that the city police had already provided mobile phones and electronic equipment to improve intelligence gathering.
A special officer has also been appointed to crack sensitive crimes, especially those relating to senior citizens.