To make the traffic police more accountable on duty, the Amritsar Police have decided to introduce body cameras that would be worn by every cop in their uniforms.
These body cameras would help make the working of the traffic police more transparent and also keep the high ups informed about their working. The project is slated to kick start by March 15.
Talking to HT, Amritsar police commissioner Nageswara Rao said, “These body cameras will record the entire working of the cops on duty and will record their actions and behavior. We will start the project with the traffic wing as of now as the traffic needs to be streamlined to make the city movement smooth.” Rao added that the project is in the pipeline but he is making efforts to get it implemented till March 15.
The commissioner also said, “The purpose of the project is to monitor the police officers dealing with public which is quite handicapped in the city. Police-public experience should be enhanced and this transparency would help in that. It would also bring a change in the attitude of the police as well as public as both will be under surveillance.”
On a question about the policemen removing the cameras while indulging in unethical practices, Rao said, “The purpose of the drive is to keep a check on the money-demanding tactics which has tainted the force. But if they still remove it, they will answerable to the authorities.”
{{/usCountry}}On a question about the policemen removing the cameras while indulging in unethical practices, Rao said, “The purpose of the drive is to keep a check on the money-demanding tactics which has tainted the force. But if they still remove it, they will answerable to the authorities.”
{{/usCountry}}Rao also shared besides these cameras, there are other logistical issues too under which the police has demanded such as traffic motorcycles, more personnel to ease the shift system and also wireless sets.
“We have demanded 100 motorcycles, around 200 handsets to make their functioning faster and efficient,” he said.
Meanwhile, as reported earlier, cameras have already been installed on 42 PCR vehicles while all SHOs’ vehicles will be getting them soon in the city to curb the increasing snatching cases. However, Rao said the broader vision is to know the happenings in the city.