India’s First Statewide Online Police Network

For the first time in India, technology is catapulting the Police Department into speedy processing, increased efficiency, transparent policing and better interaction with the citizen, YOU.

Imagine for instance your neighbor, who is on a vacation in Vijayawada, has been robbed of his vehicle parked at his residence in Hyderabad. Ordinarily, on being alerted by a concerned neighbor, he would have had to rush back to Hyderabad to lodge a complaint. However, with e-COPS, he can do it at the nearest Police Station in Vijayawada itself. What’s more, he can follow up on his case status from any other Police Station in the State, and even over the Internet (www.apstatepolice.org). When the stolen vehicle is found-even if it is in a place as far away as Srikakulam-the e-COPS network will be able to restore it to him at Hyderabad immediately.

So now, your nearest Police Station is where you are. Demonstration again, the commitment of the Andhra Pradesh Police towards its citizens.

With e-COPS, Policing becomes transparent:

The e-Computerized Operations of Police Services uses automatic to provide ready access to Police Station that are most convenient from the citizen’s point of view.

By connecting all the Police Stations and Police Offices, distances are reduced, fear is removed, and accountability increases-as the Zonal DCP can check case progress everyday. Even the highest authority knows of every FIR lodged, so the citizens can seek recourse wherever they choose.

eCOPS reduces discretionary dependence on Police:

Once your case is registered in the computer of the nearest Police Station and a printout of the FIR is given to you, nothing can be altered. Work on a case cannot be delayed either, as e-COPS is programmed to send alerts across the State Police hierarchy on cases that stay inactive for long. What’s more, the virtual veil of helplessness-for want of information-is lifted because now cases can be viewed-and case progress checked-from any place over the internet.

e-COPS develops intelligence:
With automation of systems, the Police Force can now spend quality time cracking down on cases rather than being involved in mundane administrative work. Prosecution and security can be enhanced by better management of logistics and resource deployment, based on data provided by e-COPS. Moreover, as all records of Crime and Criminals are shared across the e-COPS network-and finally documented at the Crime Records Bureau-they are accessible online by numerous other departments. For instance, a driver arrested on the charge of a serious accident will not be re-issued a driving license by the RTA as they would have records of his driving history.

Stronger communication network between the Police and other departments:

As illustrated alongside, the e-COPS network is designed to go far beyond the vertical and horizontal framework of the AP Police. It is a tool to quicken Police-related work-flow through links with Prisons (convicts and their release information), Hospital (unidentified corpses, post-mortem reports, wound certificates), Collectorates Municipalities, RTAs, Passport Office, Revenue Department, Judiciary, Forensic Labs, Crime Record Bureaus (State, Inter-State and National) and the Home Ministry.

e-COPS… SMART Cops:

e-COPS furthers the vision of Simple, Moral, Accountable, Responsive and Transparent Governance. In addition, it introduces a mechanism to build pride…To have trained resources across ranks perform tasks worthy of their skills; to have greater co-ordination, efficiency and public appreciation; and most importantly, to have to Police Force that serves as a role model for the rest of the country to follow!

Interesting facts about eCOPS:

A senior officer can virtually transport himself to any Police Station to check on their activities. Physically too, a web-camera at every PS allows control; citizen interaction with senior officials; and protection of fundamental and human rights