NEW DELHI: PM Narendra Modi on Sunday called upon the police forces of the country to adopt the ‘SMART policing mantra‘, with the ‘SMART’ acronym expanded to “strategic, meticulous, adaptable, reliable and transparent”.
Addressing the valedictory session of the 59th All-India Conference of Director Generals of Police/Inspector Generals of Police (DGPs/IGPs) in Bhubaneswar, which he attended through Saturday and Sunday, Modi expressed concern at the threats generated on account of digital frauds, cybercrimes and AI, particularly the potential of deep fakes to disrupt social and familial relations, and asked the police force to convert the AI challenge into an opportunity by harnessing India’s double ‘AI’ power of artificial intelligence and ‘aspirational India’.
The PM said that wide-ranging discussions were held during the conference on national and international dimensions of security challenges, and expressed satisfaction on the counter-strategies that had emerged from the deliberations.
Modi appreciated the initiatives taken in urban policing, and suggested that each of the initiatives be collated and implemented in 100 cities of the country. He called for the use of technology to reduce the workload of the constabulary and suggested that the police station be made the focal point for resource allocation.
Discussing the success of hackathons in solving some key problems, the PM suggested deliberating on holding a National Police Hackathon as well. He highlighted the need for expanding the focus on port security and preparing a future plan of action in this regard.
Recalling the contributions of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, India’s first home minister, to the ministry of home affairs, Modi exhorted the security establishment, from the ministry to the police station level, to pay homage to him on his 150th birth anniversary next year by resolving to set and achieve a goal on any aspect that stands to improve the police’s image, professionalism and capabilities. He urged police forces to modernise and realign themselves with the vision of ‘Viksit Bharat’.
During the three-day conference, in-depth discussions were held on challenges to national security, including counter terrorism, Left-Wing Extremism, cybercrime, economic security, immigration, coastal security and narco-trafficking. Deliberations were also held on emerging security concerns along the border with Bangladesh and Myanmar, and trends in urban policing. Further, a review was undertaken of implementation of the newly enacted criminal laws, initiatives and best practices in policing as also the security situation in the neighbourhood.