One step forward, two steps back
16 July 2012 2:20 AM GMT
About a decade ago, CCTV cameras were installed in several police stations across Delhi. However, till now there has not been any technological addition to them, despite its availability. They, for instance, cannot record the footage it shoots.
Sources in the police stations said that even though senior officers are aware of this fact, they are not doing anything to update the technology for better results and security. ‘The cameras were installed to improve the police functioning at the thana level and also reduce the corrupt practices and third degree treatment to those brought for questioning. However, we haven’t updated the technology at all,’ the sources said.
Rajan Bhagat, Delhi police, PRO said, ‘These CCTVs have been installed at most of the police stations in 2003 and at that time the recording feature was not introduced. A proposal has already been made to upgrade these CCTVs that are already installed. Also, in the new police stations, CCTV has to be installed and most probably the cameras with latest technology would be installed.’
There are about 180 police stations in Delhi.
‘An order had been issued by former Delhi CP, Y S Dadwal, during his tenure, where he had made it ‘mandatory’ to have CCTVs cameras covering the whole station area. He had found some loopholes in installations of CCTV’s and that's why he had passed such an order. He had said specifically at least a camera must be installed at the duty officer’s room, a camera outside the station gate to keep a tab on the visitors of the police station and one at the lock-up area, if any,’ said an official.
Besides, it has also been found out that a lot of new police stations like Saket and Mansarover Park do not even have a single CCTV. ‘As these police stations are new, the installation of CCTVs cameras is still under progress. These stations would soon have operational CCTVs,’ said Bhagat.
An official, on conditions of anonymity, said, ‘Without the recording feature, there is no use having them. There is definitely a need for the upgradation of these cameras. The reason of installing CCTV cameras inside the police station premises is to keep an eye on the officers work behaviour in order to avoid corruption as well as to keep track of the visitors of the stations. That is why the control room is made in the Station House Officer’s [SHO] room. But in the absence of the SHO, CCTVs become worthless as the footage is not being recorded.’
Sources in the police stations said that even though senior officers are aware of this fact, they are not doing anything to update the technology for better results and security. ‘The cameras were installed to improve the police functioning at the thana level and also reduce the corrupt practices and third degree treatment to those brought for questioning. However, we haven’t updated the technology at all,’ the sources said.
Rajan Bhagat, Delhi police, PRO said, ‘These CCTVs have been installed at most of the police stations in 2003 and at that time the recording feature was not introduced. A proposal has already been made to upgrade these CCTVs that are already installed. Also, in the new police stations, CCTV has to be installed and most probably the cameras with latest technology would be installed.’
There are about 180 police stations in Delhi.
‘An order had been issued by former Delhi CP, Y S Dadwal, during his tenure, where he had made it ‘mandatory’ to have CCTVs cameras covering the whole station area. He had found some loopholes in installations of CCTV’s and that's why he had passed such an order. He had said specifically at least a camera must be installed at the duty officer’s room, a camera outside the station gate to keep a tab on the visitors of the police station and one at the lock-up area, if any,’ said an official.
Besides, it has also been found out that a lot of new police stations like Saket and Mansarover Park do not even have a single CCTV. ‘As these police stations are new, the installation of CCTVs cameras is still under progress. These stations would soon have operational CCTVs,’ said Bhagat.
An official, on conditions of anonymity, said, ‘Without the recording feature, there is no use having them. There is definitely a need for the upgradation of these cameras. The reason of installing CCTV cameras inside the police station premises is to keep an eye on the officers work behaviour in order to avoid corruption as well as to keep track of the visitors of the stations. That is why the control room is made in the Station House Officer’s [SHO] room. But in the absence of the SHO, CCTVs become worthless as the footage is not being recorded.’
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