To enhance the efficiency of Punjab Police to make it a front ranking force in the country, the State Government will soon introduce the technique of Artificial Intelligence (AI) — an initiative expected to go a long way in further improving the policing in the State.
“The decision aims at making Punjab a front runner in the usage of AI thereby maintaining law and order in the State. This will act as a milestone in equipping the Police force with best practices and developing it on scientific lines,” said the Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Friday after presiding over the passing out parade of 2,999 police jawans — the largest ever group of directly recruited cops in this rank in Punjab Police.
The Chief Minister said that being a border state, a number of forces inimical to the state, have been chalking out nefarious designs to disturb Punjab’s hard-earned peace. “But, the Punjab Police has always foiled such attempts. And to further overcome major challenges faced by the state, it is imperative that the Police force is updated as per advanced requirements in the field of investigation, science and technology,” said Mann, expressing hope that the Punjab Police will uphold the glorious legacy of serving the people with utmost professional commitment.
He said that Punjab will be soon joining hands with multinational Google to update the state Police on modern lines. “A comprehensive blueprint has already been prepared in this regard and the formal agreement will be signed soon. It will help in enhancing the efficiency of the Punjab Police to tackle any sort of unforeseen challenge in the state,” he said.
The Chief Minister said that to check the fatality rate due to road accidents in the state, on one hand; and to streamline the movement of traffic on the roads of the state, on the other, the State Government has launched ‘Sadak Surakhya Force’ — the first of its kind specialized force that will act as a pivotal to save several precious lives that are lost in road accidents daily in Punjab.
This force will be entrusted with the task of checking rash driving, streamlining vehicular movement on roads, and others to check the road accidents, he said, adding that it will reduce the burden on cops deployed in Police stations.
In the first phase, a force of 1300 cops will be recruited for this specialized force.
The Chief Minister said that the State Government has already decided to recruit 1800 Constables and 300 Sub Inspectors every year in Punjab Police for the coming four years to overcome the scarcity of cops. “As for these 2100 posts every year, around 2.50 lakh candidates are expected to apply for these posts so all the aspirants will get involved in academics as well as in improving their physique for clearing the tests,” said Mann, adding that this is helping in channelizing their unbounded energy in a positive direction and help them in weaning away from the menace of drugs.
At the same time, the Chief Minister announced that the State Government will soon embark on a major recruitment drive in sports and technical cadre of the Punjab Police with engaging 267 Sub Inspectors and 2340 Constables in Technical Support Services, 787 Head Constables and 362 Constables in Investigation Cadre, 794 Constables in Intelligence Cadre.