Among the various steps adapted by the Delhi Police to ensure smart policing, the recently-launched mobile phone-based application called Himmat to ensure safety of women in the Capital, reflects that smart policing will be a priority of the Delhi Police in the coming year.
Going a step ahead towards becoming tech-savvy, the Delhi Police have started various initiatives in terms of launching helplines for people in distress and web-based applications for Delhiites. Himmat will cater to all the smartphone owners, especially women, who travel alone late at night. The application was launched by Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday. The facility as of now only available for Android users but would soon be functional on all operating systems. Women in difficult situations can just shake their phone, press the power button and the police control room will immediately call back. The victims’ details, location and time will be automatically revealed through this call.
In 2014, 11,000 women have called up the police control room (100), 49,717 women have used the anti stalking and obscene calls helpline number (1096) and 1,410 women have used the women helpline 1091. Delhi Police first launched its lost Report mobile application in February 2014 which made it easier for the people to obtain the Non-Cognizable report (NCR) which was earlier possible only by a visit to the police station. However, to make things easier, the application was launched through which the NCR could be downloaded on the mobile phone or the web with an attested signature of the designated authority and could be used for reissuing purpose of the lost items.
Traffic Police mobile application was also launched to ensure safety to regularly update city residents with advisable routes during peak traffic hours and various other alerts. The application could also be used for calculating the fare during an autorickshaw ride or while hiring a taxi. The application also helped as people could call up the emergency number during the times of need and also could file complaints against any driver if they misbehaved with them. “Such people-friendly technologies were launched with an objective to make the police friendlier with the people,” said Delhi Police Commissioner, BS Bassi. He added that more applications will be launched in helping the people to avoid going to police stations for small complaints. The web-based application for issuing a clearance police certificate, which otherwise is a tedious process, was next- in-line to make the process of issuing clearance certificate by police easier.