We need to prepare today for the crimes of tomorrow, says Telangana DGP

We need to prepare today for the crimes of tomorrow, notes Telangana DGP As crime evolves beyond traditional offences to include cybercrime, narcotics, organised networks and technology-driven offences, policing is additionally adapting to a generation shaped by social media and digital technology.

Key points

• For almost 30 to 35 years, policing was oriented towards Left-Wing Extremism and terrorism.
• The sanctioned strength of the Telangana Police is around 93, 000.
• Telangana DGP CV Anand on skills and tools applied to investigate crimes Video Credit: SIDDHANT THAKUR.
• Anand on the resources needed for extension of night life in Hyderabad Video Credit: SIDDHANT THAKUR.
• With Hyderabad expanding rapidly towards the south and southeast, how is the police department preparing for the new challenges that Future City may create?

How has the nature of crime changed over the years, particularly with traditional offences now existing alongside technology-driven crimes?

For context, the dimensions of crime have rose. Though to a lesser extent, traditional crimes such as thefts, burglaries and property offences continue. Meanwhile, cybercrime and narcotics have become particularly serious challenges. We are additionally seeing new forms of organised crime in narcotics, cybercrime and food adulteration, with networks involved in production, manufacturing, supply and transportation.

Gen Z is growing up in a particularly different social and digital environment. How do you see this changing the challenges before the police?

Police have to prepare for a different kind of policing. The way Gen Z communicates and behaves is different. Social media can rapidly mobilise individuals and an incident in one part of the country can have repercussions in Hyderabad. We need to monitor these developments and employ predictive analysis and artificial intelligence (AI) to anticipate what may happen.

Does that mean social media monitoring will become a more significant part of policing in the coming years?

Social media is inescapable. We have to learn to live with it and avoid unnecessary controversies. Police personnel should not create foolish mistakes as anything can become viral within minutes. Meanwhile, our scrutiny of social media additionally has to be high as malicious and false campaigns are carried out through multiple accounts. Every Commissioner and Superintendent of Police has been asked to remain alert and have teams monitoring social media. It is now a compulsory part of policing.

Technology has transformed criminal investigation. How different is investigating a murder case, for example, today compared with the methods applied by police officers earlier?

Earlier, the scene of crime was sacrosanct. If an officer missed a fingerprint, a hair follicle or some other clue, the case could be affected. Now we have CDR, IPDR, CCTV footage and technical analysis. While CCTV has become extremely significant, CDR and IPDR can establish locations, communication patterns and timings. But there is a danger of becoming too dependent on technology. The basics of policing remain particularly notable. If the technology fails you, the case may fail.

Telangana Director General of Police (DGP) C.V. Anand on the basics of policing Video Credit: SIDDHANT THAKUR.

With officers increasingly relying on digital evidence, is there a danger that traditional investigative skills could gradually be lost?

Absolutely. We are going back to police station visits, CCTNS, basic patrolling, day patrolling and night patrolling. We cannot forget traditional policing. We have extra work as traditional crimes are continuing and, furthermore, we have these new types of crime requiring special qualifications, abilities and training.

Telangana DGP CV Anand on skills and tools applied to investigate crimes Video Credit: SIDDHANT THAKUR. How is policing changing after the eradication of Maoism in Telangana?

For almost 30 to 35 years, policing was oriented towards Left-Wing Extremism and terrorism. Specialised forces such as Greyhounds, SIB and OCTOPUS were created since the situation demanded it. But now the situation has changed substantially. Meanwhile, narcotics, cybercrime, food adulteration and traffic have emerged as major challenges. We have to reorient our forces accordingly.

Does the changing threat landscape mean specialised forces can be rationalised without compromising their operational preparedness?

We are maintaining sufficient strength in Greyhounds and OCTOPUS for operations, training and maintenance. We discovered that we could redeploy personnel without reducing their effectiveness. We have identified individuals with backgrounds in chemistry, pharmacy, biology and computer engineering and placed them in departments where those skills can be employed.

You have spoken regarding a larger manpower audit. How do you intend to redistribute the existing sanctioned strength throughout the department?

For context, the sanctioned strength of the Telangana Police is around 93, 000. I do not believe we need to keep asking the administration for further personnel. We need to redeploy the sanctioned strength properly. We are looking at every unit, right down to the police station, constable and Home Guard level, to see where manpower is actually required. For context, the idea is to prepare the department for the next decade without putting an extra financial burden on the administration.

AI is increasingly becoming part of policing. What role do you see it playing in the investigation and prevention of crime?

It is going to be particularly notable. We are working on T-SPARK. It is Telangana smart policing using AI-based research and knowledge. We want to automate processes and create information available to officers faster. For example, with the Dial 112 emergency number system, AI can support in receiving calls, transcription and translation. Similar systems can be developed for CCTNS and other policing platforms.

Police checks on groups of individuals at night sometimes attract criticism. How do you balance such enforcement with reservations concerning public inconvenience?

Night patrolling is the USP of city policing. The stronger the night patrolling, the safer the city is. Whenever the level of patrolling goes down, crime increases. Patrol teams have to move frequently, respond to calls on 112 emergency number and keep watch on known offenders and history-sheeters. Random checks and fingerprint verification have additionally assisted identify property offenders and inter-State criminals. We want to keep the city safe for good individuals and control the bad residents. Those who are going regarding their legitimate work are not disturbed. But we cannot allow groups of individuals to simply loiter on the streets at night when we do not know who they are or what they are planning. We have discovered stolen vehicles and interstate criminals during such checks. It is part of our basic job.

If Telangana moves towards a larger 24-hour economy and nightlife, what extra policing requirements and challenges would such a change create?

Meanwhile, the entire policing system will have to change. The shift system will have to change and we will require extra personnel and vehicles. We additionally have to consider the rise in narcotics employ that has been observed in cities where nightlife has expanded. It is not something that cannot be done, but it has to be carefully calibrated.

Telangana DGP C.V. Anand on the resources needed for extension of night life in Hyderabad Video Credit: SIDDHANT THAKUR.

Among the emerging challenges facing Telangana. It problems worry you most concerning their potential impact on the next generation?

Drugs are one of the biggest threats to the future generation. We do not want to reach a situation where drug addiction leads to individuals committing serious crimes for small amounts of capital. The other major matter is food adulteration. It is silently affecting everyone's health. Cybercrime is another serious challenge, but awareness is already helping individuals recognise scams such as digital arrest frauds. We have to act now rather than wait until they become much bigger challenges.

Meanwhile, the development of the Future City and the expansion towards the southeast and other regions will create new policing requirements. We have to orient policing towards those futuristic expectations. The new commissionerate has been created and we are ready to plan policing alongside that expansion.

Taken together, the developments around we need to prepare today for the crimes of tomorrow, says Telangana point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.