Tuesday 16 June 2015

IT-geek constable’s crime fighting tools go national

Dilip Thakor, 38, a constable with Ahmedabad police, first saw a computer 1997 when each of the district headquarters were allotted one PC each. Most policemen were perplexed by the machine but Thakor, a diploma in diesel mechanics, began to explore the computer on his own.

On seeing his keen interest, his seniors enrolled him for private coaching in computers. The investment paid off. Over years, Thakor has developed more than a dozen software aimed at enhancing police efficiency in crime prevention and detection.

His best work Pinac and Eklavya will be demonstrated to senior cops from across India at the two-day national seminar beginning Thursday organized at Hyderabad by the National Police Academy (NPA) on 'IT applications in Indian Police'. "Besides Hyderabad, the software will also be demonstrated to senior police officers in BPR&D, New Delhi and," said Deepan Bhadran, DCP (crime), Ahmedabad.

Pinac can be used to search a database for criminals' records while Eklavya is used to check for vehicle information. Crime branch officials say police of other states have already shown interest in the software.

Rated one of the best police applications by experts of Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPR&D) in Bhopal, Pinac has helped in over 200 detections. In December 2014, the software helped nab Paresh Jani, a conman, who duped senior citizens. Jani used to move around in expensive SUV and identified himself as a builder in need of some money. After a complaint, police ran a search on his modus operandi and found a match in Jani, involved in 12 cases. The victim also identified him from the photograph shown. On the basis of the information, crime branch caught Jani in a few days.

Eklavya, too, has played a significant role in the 100% increase (from 17% to 35%) in detection of vehicle theft in Ahmedabad city. Both softwares have been implemented by police in Gujarat's major cities. Digitization of records for access via the software is also underway.

No comments:

Post a Comment