Combining innovation and technology to have IT-equipped police on roads, Islamabad Police have given access to its officials serving at key pickets or patrolling to a database for checking particulars of the suspects and vehicles immediately.
Islamabad Police have created a customised database with three components that include registration data of vehicles, data of stolen vehicles and crime record of proclaimed offenders, court absconders, military deserters, challaned and convicted persons.
The unique feature of the initiative is that police personnel deployed at every key point picket and on patrol across Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) can access this database in real time.
This technology-based initiative has been taken to make police presence on roads more effective, responsive and accountable. Police personnel deployed on pickets and patrolling the roads are now equipped with tools that would enhance their ability to make improved security and crime related decisions.
To access the database, picket in-charges and patrol officers have been given dedicated GSM Subscriber Identity Modules (SIMs). In-charge key point picket or a patrol officer shall enter registration number, chassis number or engine number of a vehicle and he will promptly get all its requisite information like registration number, make, model, color, chassis number, engine number, name of the person in whose name the vehicle is registered, and his Computerised National Identity Card (CNIC) number of the owner.
Similarly, any of the registration, chassis or engine number will be entered to verify whether a vehicle is stolen or not. Search shall generate a response about the status of the vehicle as stolen or otherwise.
The most extraordinary feature of this tool is to verify a person’s criminal record. Just by entering a person’s CNIC number, police personnel shall know whether he/she is wanted in any case, has a criminal record or is a convict.
To keep a strong check on the usage, an automatic result of every such vehicular and person search shall be logged at a central server for the daily perusal and analysis of supervisory officers.
The database will be revised regularly with systematic updates. Especially, data of stolen vehicles will be part of the database in time short enough to ensure quick police response.
Islamabad Inspector General of Police Sikandar Hayat said policemen deployed to ensure security are expected to use their good judgment and discretion based on trainings and service experience. With the introduction of this strictly supervised tool, they will be able to make informed and real time security and crime related decisions.
He said this latest technology is being used to ensure effective policing that will help police to check activities of anti-social elements.
Potential of growth and improvement in this system is immense. As many as sixty unique components can be added to the database. Some of the components in consideration include list of all government employees with their respective departments and a list of scheduled individuals. Islamabad Senior Superintendent Police Muhammad Rizwan has endeavoured a lot to equip Islamabad police with this technology. He said it would help to curb crime and ensure protection to the lives and property of the citizens.
