Police to upgrade communication systems

The lack of modern communication methods used by the police was identified as one of the key areas which not only led to the delay of swift action to prevent crimes

It was learnt that the Police Department was in the process of using modern communication systems in order to serve the public more competently where key centres would link all the police stations and the project was to cost more than Rs.2.5 billion.

The project would be able to connect police stations, patrol units and sub posts to each other, where the response time following a public complaint or tipoff would be reduced significantly.

The lack of modern communication methods used by the police was identified as one of the key areas which not only led to the delay of swift action to prevent crimes, but also to the delay in tracking suspects as well. According to the police the main purpose was to create a crime and violence free society; therefore the need to be well equipped with modern communication and information technology was necessary.

Under the purview of President Mahinda Rajapaksa and under the direction of Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapksa the Police Information and Communication System project would be completed within three years. The project aims to develop a modern state of the art information and communication system which would enhance the voice, data and video transmission capabilities of the police.

Throughout the last decade a number of projects were implemented such as the police emergency 119, but lack of funding and the police being based on traditional communication methods and in storing information had led to a significant overhaul.