56th DGP-IGP Conference: PM Modi Attends Valedictory Session, Stresses Review Of SMART Policing Concept

The Prime Minister gave examples of CoWIN, GeM and UPI while talking about the importance of technology in the lives of the general public.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressing the 56th DGP/IGP Conference – 2021, in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh on November 21, 2021. (PIB Photo)

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Amit Shah attended the valedictory session of the 56th DGP/IGP Conference in Lucknow on Sunday where he spoke about various issues related to policing and the role of technology. 

The Conference was attended by 62 DGsP/IGsP of states/union territories and DGs of CAPFs/CPOs in Lucknow. More than 400 officers of various ranks attended the Conference virtually from IB offices across the country.

In a statement, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) informed that PM Modi participated in the discussions and gave valuable suggestions during the Conference. 

In the run-up to the Conference, various core groups of DGsP were formed for holding discussions on key aspects of national security such as prison reforms, terrorism, Left Wing Extremism, cyber-crimes, narcotics trafficking, foreign funding of NGOs, drone-related matters, development of border villages, etc.

Addressing the valedictory session this afternoon, PM Narendra Modi called for analysis of all police-related incidents and developing case studies, to make it an institutionalised learning mechanism. 

“He hailed the hybrid format of the Conference as it allowed free flow information between various ranks. He suggested development of inter-operable technologies which would benefit Police forces across the country,” the PMO stated. 

It was informed that PM Modi called for constituting a High-Power Police Technology Mission, under the leadership of the Union Home Minister to adopt future technologies for grass root policing requirements. 

The Prime Minister gave examples of CoWIN, GeM, and UPI while talking about the importance of technology in the lives of the general public. He appreciated the positive change in Police attitude towards the general public, particularly post-COVID. 

PM Modi suggested positive use of drone technology for the benefit of the people and stressed on review of SMART Policing concept introduced in 2014 and suggested development of a roadmap for its continuous transformation and institutionalisation of the same in Police forces. 

To tackle some of the routine challenges faced by Police, he urged to involve highly qualified youth to look for technological solutions through hackathon, the PMO stated.

At the ceremony, the Prime Minister also awarded the President’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service to IB personnel. For the first time, as per his directives, IPS officers from various States had submitted articles on contemporary security issues with the aim to add more value to the conference.

The 56th DGP/IGP Conference was inaugurated by Union Home Minister Amit Shah on November 19, 2021, wherein he had awarded trophies to the three-best Police Stations of the country. The Home Minister participated in all the discussions and offered his valuable suggestions and guidance, the PMO stated.