3 reform panels to chart Karnataka Police’s path to AI-led modernisation

The Karnataka government has formed three committees to evaluate and modernize the state's police department. The first committee, led by retired DGP R K Dutta, will assess services provided to citizens, including registration of FIRs, complaints, police station operations, emergency response, lost property reporting, cybercrime complaints, permissions and certificates, and other services.

The committee will also evaluate the accessibility, efficiency, and quality of these services, as well as suggest improvements in community policing and infrastructure. The second committee, headed by retired DGP M N Reddy, will prepare a modernization plan, focusing on emergency response systems, police control rooms, the 112 emergency service, forensic laboratories, police vehicles, communication systems, and AI integration in policing.

The third committee, headed by retired DGP Kamal Pant, will examine the police department's manpower, cadre structure, recruitment rules, post creation, and career progression. The committee will assess whether the current workforce and post classification align with the department's workload and future responsibilities, and recommend necessary adjustments.

These committees operate within the context of a broader police restructuring effort, including the division of Bengaluru's police commissionerate and the development of technology-driven solutions for urban policing.