For tech-savvy police, policing

Orange and grey tiny bullets displayed besides guns appear unusual, even when placed amidst hi-tech weaponry from across the globe. “These projectiles are called Pepper Ball. At present, the police and other forces use tear gas shells and water cannons to disperse crowds during protests and the public ends up in retaliating. These bullets made from red pepper are less lethal and if used, will make people unconscious for 10 to 15 minutes,” says Sreekumar from RPM2inc. informing that there has been a rise in the number of riots in India since 2000.

Controlling the crowd, with sensitivity, therefore is one of the major responsibilities of police and other forces. The exhibition of ammunitions such as the ‘pepper balls’ at the recently organised 2nd International Police Expo at Pragati Maidan, therefore was a necessity.

Inside Hall No 12, where usually lifestyle products hold attention of visitors through the year, arms, ammunitions and other gadgets which can be used for security, remained in focus over the weekend. The two-day exposition, themed on ‘Smart Policing’, saw a participation of more than 50 companies. Since the success of smart policing lies in reduction of crime, the exhibits presented a glimpse of ultra-modern technologies that can be brought to use to speed up the process of crime solving.

Imagine, if Delhi Police has a computerised device to scan the entire crime area, rather than taking pictures. Anil NP, distribution manager – 3D Documentation from FARO shows a laser scanner to Metrolife and explains how “it can document the crime scene like a video camera and analyse various measurements from different angles.”

Anil says, “These scanners were initially used by architects in construction of buildings. Once a crime case in US made an officer think if a laser scanner could be of help in documenting the area through a machine and this scanner came in handy.” Within three minutes the entire scene is memorised by this device, thus reducing the possibilities of deterioration of evidences over time.

Alongside such machines, were rifles, bulletproof tyres, drones and spy cameras. “The new government is providing budgets to different forces. More than 1,000 vehicles have been purchased in the last one year,” says Jaspaal Singh Chhabra from GRAND – the company that makes beacon lights for VIP vehicles. As Chhabra tried to drill a hole in the bulletproof tyre of a bike on display, he informs, “The air in these have been replaced with polyurethane that solidifies after eight hours and makes the tyre rock solid. The need for these bulletproof bike tyres is in Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh where Naxalites spread nails on roads.”

A device that has crucial use in not just troubled areas of the country but even in the National Capital are drones. Holding a drone in his hand, Col (Retd) SD Patil says, “Drones were a big thing earlier but today they are used in even private events to make videos. There are various law enforcements but if security forces use drones, it can actually have a 360 degree view of the whole place. In contrast, a CCTV camera provides just a 45 degree view at one point.”

Col Patil even exhibited a ‘Sumo Jumper’ – a robot with spy camera that can be operated from a mobile phone.

“Awareness about these products is present and theofficers in forces want them too but facility for training them to use these is missing,” he adds.

In between Neeta Pawani from Innovative Krish Products, pushes a button and the ‘Hand Held Electric Baton’ displays its worth and utility. “I am proud to say that I have used it on a man who was bothering me when I went for a walk early morning. The 440 volt electric shock will not let the person move for a few minutes,” says this resident of Mumbai as she rakes in moolah selling it to individual women, in need of safety devices such as these.