Telangana Police Force All Set For Makeover Into ‘Smart Police’

The Police are not exactly popular establishment in Telangana society, which is marked by continuous anti-establishment for generations, thanks to the brutal suppression embarked by erstwhile rulers of AP through the Police. So quite rightly, the TRS Govt. wants to go for an image makeover of the Police even as it stresses on ‘people-friendly’ approach to them. The exercise is intended as much to make police gain more acceptability in the rural Telangana as it is to modernise them with real-time information and quick response teams with an integrated and modern command centre. The Telangana police is breaking away from it’s past and reinventing itself as a smart and modern force.

The era of khaki is over. The state government headed by the pink party wants to usher in the blue. Hyderabad city police personnel will soon shed their khaki uniform and don one in blue, akin the United Nations security forces. This was decided by chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao at a review meeting he held with home minister Nayani Narasimha Reddy and senior police officials on Saturday.The city police will also get ultra modern equipment and vehicles for better policing in the Greater Hyderabad region. According to sources, KCR wanted a complete makeover for the city cops, right from their appearance to their approach.

Accordingly, he wanted a change of uniform on the exterior, and on the interior, wanted them to become as professional a force as the New York City police and the London police.

The chief minister directed officials to take steps to ensure that all the taxies and cabs plying in the city are in common colour. He directed the police department to procure 1650 Innova vehicles and equip them with GPS system, 4G internet, laptop, wireless, fire fighting system. KCR also sanctioned 1500 new motorcycles to the department. With this, the police would take up bike patrolling so as to reach any place from their nearest point within five minutes of the incident.

The government has sought the help of ASCI (Administrative Staff College of India)  which has accepted the government’s request and will undertake the study   of  the existing setup and suggest suitable changes in all aspects and submit a detailed report to update Telangana police force within three months.

It will take into account good policing in metros in India and abroad. Chief Minister, K. Chandrasekhar Rao is keen on improving the brand image of Hyderabad.

“The Government sought the help of the ASCI to improve the police set-up in Telangana, including Hyderabad. The ASCI will suggest steps for modernisation of the police force and make it more people-friendly,” P. Mahender Reddy, Hyderabad city police commissioner said.

The top brass of the state and city police held discussions  with ASCI representatives, who made a presentation.

“We are basically looking at overhauling the police force to keep up with the government’s move to improve the brand image of Hyderabad. This includes modernisation of forces at various levels, training the police personnel, behavioural aspect, professionalism, establishment of a world class control room, providing internet facilities at all police stations, GPRS system in vehicles, improving mobility, , installation of more surveillance cameras among others,” he added.

Mr Reddy said the focus is to make Hyderabad a global city and reduce crime rate.

“Setting up of modern control room to match international standards and quick response teams are also included in the project. The project will cover Telangana, including Hyderabad,” he said. The total police force in Telangana is about 67,000 including 12,000 personnel in Hyderabad.

The CM asked the police officers to give priority to the protection of women and children by making Hyderabad city a ‘Smart and Safe Hyderabad’. Budget is no constraint for safety of the citizens, he said.

-With Inputs From DC & ToI & Namasthe Telangana