Calls for Technology-Driven Services, Greater Accountability, Stronger Public Outreach and Faster Grievance Redressal Across Kashmir
Srinagar, October 17 :
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir Zone Sujit Kumar Singh has directed all police stations across Kashmir to adopt SMART Policing and Digital Beat Policing as an integral part of their day-to-day functioning, with a focus on technology-driven services, public accountability and improved police-public relations.
The directions were issued during a conference chaired by IGP Kashmir Sujit Kumar Singh, attended by Range Deputy Inspectors General of Police (DIGs), District Senior Superintendents of Police (SSsP), Additional SSsP, Zonal SSsP, Deputy Superintendents of Police (DySsP) and Station House Officers (SHOs) from across the Kashmir Zone.
The initiative, in line with the vision and directions of the Director General of Police, Jammu and Kashmir, aims to transform police stations into modern, efficient, transparent and citizen-friendly institutions, ensuring prompt and accessible delivery of police services.
During the conference, IGP Kashmir underscored the five fundamental principles of SMART Policing: Strict and Sensitive, Modern and Mobile, Alert and Accountable, Reliable and Responsive, and Techno-savvy and Trained.
He stressed that SMART Policing must go beyond policy documents and be reflected in the everyday conduct, professional standards, working culture and public service delivery of every police station.
Emphasis on Digital Beat Policing
Special emphasis was laid on institutionalising Digital Beat Policing across all police station jurisdictions. IGP Kashmir directed SHOs to ensure that Beat Officers conduct regular field visits, maintain meaningful interaction with local residents and address public concerns at the grassroots level.
The initiative envisages the regular updating of beat-level information on digital platforms, improved monitoring of local developments, faster grievance redressal and transparent delivery of police services through technology.
Beat Officers will also be expected to strengthen community participation, identify public concerns and ensure that policing services reach every section of society, including people living in remote areas.
The IGP stressed that clearly defined responsibilities and effective supervision are essential for ensuring accountability. Supervisory officers have been directed to personally monitor the implementation of the initiative and ensure that the prescribed measures produce visible results on the ground.
Police Stations to Become More Citizen-Friendly
Observing that police stations serve as the primary point of contact between the police and the public, IGP Kashmir emphasised the need to make them more accessible, responsive and technologically equipped.
He said the objective is to ensure that technology strengthens accountability, improves public service delivery and enables police personnel to address citizens’ grievances with greater efficiency and dignity.
All district police heads have been directed to ensure effective implementation of SMART Policing and Digital Beat Policing across their respective jurisdictions, with particular focus on technology-enabled services, beat-level public outreach and professional accountability.
The initiative is aimed at strengthening public confidence in the police and developing a modern, responsive and future-ready policing system across Kashmir Zone.