IGP directs field visits, digital records
Srinagar, Oct 17: Inspector General of Police Kashmir Sujit Kumar Singh Saturday directed all police stations across the Kashmir Zone to implement digital beat policing, requiring beat officers to conduct regular field visits, maintain updated digital records and strengthen engagement with residents to improve public service delivery and accountability.
The directive was issued during a conference on SMART Policing and Digital Beat Policing attended by Range DIGs, district SSPs, Additional SSPs, Zonal SSPs, DySPs and station house officers (SHOs) from across the Kashmir Zone.
Singh stressed that digital beat policing should become an integral part of routine police functioning, with officers maintaining regular contact with local residents, addressing grievances and ensuring that police services reach people at the grassroots level.
He directed SHOs to institutionalise the system in their respective jurisdictions and ensure that beat officers regularly interact with residents and update beat-level information on digital platforms.
The initiative also envisages clear responsibilities for beat officers, with SHOs and other supervisory officers required to monitor their performance and ensure accountability.
Singh said police stations, as the primary point of contact between the police and the public, must be accessible, responsive and equipped with modern technology to deliver services efficiently.
“Our objective is to make every Police Station in Kashmir Zone SMART and citizen-centric, where technology strengthens accountability and police services reach every citizen with dignity,” he said.
The IGP also directed police stations to adopt SMART Policing as part of their everyday functioning, emphasising the need for officers to be strict yet sensitive, modern and mobile, alert and accountable, reliable and responsive, and technologically equipped and trained.
He said the concept should be reflected in police personnel’s conduct, working culture and delivery of public services rather than remain confined to policy documents.
Supervisory officers were directed to personally oversee implementation and ensure tangible results on the ground.
All district police heads have been asked to ensure effective implementation across the Kashmir Zone, with particular emphasis on technology-driven services, community participation and accountability at the beat level.
The initiative aims to strengthen public confidence through sustained engagement between police personnel and local communities.
