Police treating you okay? Let them know

You can now use a QR code to rate cops, and improve accountability

The Bengaluru police have launched launched an initiative to seek public feedback on their services. Called Loka Spandana, the QR code system has been implemented across all police stations in the city.

Using the QR-based feedback form, the public can relay information if one has been attended to properly and given relevant information. The form also has a section for grievances and suggestions for improvement.

Earlier this month, Bengaluru City police commissioner, Dayananda B, took to Twitter to announce the initiative and urged citizens to provide “honest feedback”. The initiative was first launched as a pilot project in the south-east division in November 2022. “When I took charge of the south-east division, I would get many complaints. We realised there was a need for change. So, I had a discussion with inspectors, ACPs and other staff, and we decided to come up with a feedback system to mitigate these complaints about delayed FIRs and misbehaviour,” C K Baba, deputy commissioner of police, south-east division, Bengaluru city.

The feedback system aims to build responsibility and accountability among police officials. “The aim is to establish a direct and transparent channel of communication between the public and police. Earlier, there was only one-way communication and we want to change that,” he adds.

Since launching the pilot project, the response has been positive, says Baba. “People are especially happy with the use of technology and the fact that the police are making an effort to listen to the public. We get a lot of four- and five-star ratings, but what I focus on are the ratings that are two stars or less,” he adds.

A back-end team has been appointed to filter through the responses. “I also make a point to check the feedback for my division at least twice a day. In general we receive responses pertaining to crimes in the locality, delay in service and delay in registering FIRs. Recently I suspended a constable for taking a bribe for passport verification. So, the initiative is helping us improve,” he adds.

The QR code can be found across 169 police stations in the city. Recently, actor Ramesh Aravind uploaded a two-minute video on social media explaining the initiative and urging citizens to make use of it. The video has since garnered over 70,000 views.