Body-worn cameras to ensure that errant cops stay in line

In a move to ensure transparent and effective policing, the Bengaluru Traffic Police will soon add body-worn cameras (BWC) to their armoury.

The traffic wing will procure 50 BWCs to be given to assistant sub-inspectors (ASI) and sub-Inspectors (SI) on a trial basis.

Bengaluru will be the second city in the state to have BWCs after Mysuru deployed them in 2015. The decision to buy BWCs comes in the wake of increasing complaints against SIs and ASIs in the field. Two major complaints against officers at these levels were related to issuing field traffic violation reports (FTVR) for vehicles that are not involved in traffic violations and demanding bribes. “With officials fitted with BWCs, we can effectively monitor and address such complaints,” additional commissioner of police (Traffic) R Hithendra opined.

The 50 BWCs would be procured at a cost of Rs 8 lakh in the first phase under the B-Trac project. The BWCs would be used in the central business district (CBD), Koramangala, Whitefield, Indiranagar 100 Feet Road and Outer Ring Road, where most complaints are reported. There are around 600 ASIs working with the traffic police wing. All of them would be given the BWCs in a phased manner, the police said.

Field officers commit mistakes while noting down numbers of vehicles involved in violations. Sometimes, the number zero is mentioned as nine, while seven becomes one in the FTVRs. Such mistakes occur as the digits on the number plates are not clear. The police receive around 10 such complaints a day. Innocent road users face problems due to mistakes, while the guilty go scot free. BWCs will help address such problems effectively, the police said.

Other complaints against field officers include not manning junctions, manual handling of traffic even when signal lights are on, permitting trucks to move on busy roads, blocking the way for VIP movement and inaction against traffic violations. There are also complaints against the conduct of some staff. BWCs will help overcome such challenges, Hithendra said.

SIs and ASIs should compulsorily wear BWCs while on duty. BWCs will record every action of theirs, the police added.  

173 cameras across city

The city traffic police use different types of cameras to effectively monitor traffic violations. They have installed 173 surveillance cameras at various junctions. There are 10 enforcement cameras at 10 major junctions where signal jumping and speed limit violations are rampant. Five digital cameras have been given to each of the 41 police stations to be used by field officers. BWC is a new addition.