Cameras for patrol cars
360°-view cameras will allow cops to record events
The Hyderabad police is fitting mounted cameras on patrolling SUVs as part of the city’s hitech surveillance system.
Two police vehicles covered the Sriram Navami processions in the city on Saturday as a test run. Unlike the dashboard camera used by police departments in developed countries like the US which can record only events that occur in front of the vehicle, the city police will be using cameras that will allow the recording of events all around the patrol car in 360 degrees.
Police commissioner Mahender Reddy said the cameras can record crimes and police actions and can be used in court as evidence.
The cameras will be installed on 300 SUVs in two months. Officials say all streets will be videotaped and can be monitored live at the command control centre at the police commissionerate in Basheerbagh. In addi- tion to the mounted camera on top of the vehicle there will also be a dashboard camera which will cover the interior of the vehicle in order to monitor the actions of police officers.
Mr Mahender Reddy said, the cameras would be a vital part of surveillance in future. “They will record all violations on the road like zig zag driving, signal jumping, criminal offences and other incidents. The video footages will be very helpful in fair policing,” he said.
The total cost is yet to be finalised and final talks with service providers are on. “All the 300 vehicles will be having cameras in the next two months. And a team will monitor live feeds at the command and control centre,” said the commissioner.
The camera will have live feed using basic 3G technology. “Three cameras will be mounted on the top and that will facilitate 360 degree recording. They are full HD cameras and can capture high quality footages," said an official from the command and control centre.
On Saturday, two police vehicles fitted with sample cameras successfully recorded the Sriram Navami processions in the city. The live feed was monitored by higher officials and the result was satisfactory.