[Answered] The emerging law and order challenges posed by the swift technological change would require greater innovativeness and agility, as well as a demonstration of newer cognitive skills. Discuss

Today’s security threats have an all-embracing character. There is a need for in-depth discussions on futuristic themes in policing, such as cyber-crime, the dark web, and unchecked social media. These are in addition to subjects such as left-wing extremism, counter-terrorism, drug tracking and border issues.

Challenges posed by the swift technological change:

• Law and order management today has not been given sufficient attention. It demands a combination of newer skills, in both technology and crowd management. These are not available among security agencies.
• Managing today’s angry, and often unruly, mobs requires a fresh set of skills and inherent abilities, apart from mere technology.
• A heavy-handed approach to deal with crowds creates more problems. This only leads to division between law enforcement agencies and the public.
• There is a presence of multiple security agencies, including intelligence and investigative agencies. They seldom act with a common purpose. Their techniques and methodologies tend to be different. It leads to contradictions in approach. They often hinder proper analysis and investigation.

What can be done?

• ‘Open Source intelligence: The proper utilization of Open Source intelligence could well become the critical factor in managing many law and order situations today.
• Two separate conferences: A higher-level conference of DGPs/IGPs should discuss policy related issues. A separate conference should be held of intelligence and security specialists to discuss the methodology, techniques and acquisition of new skills for current and future problems.
• Use of AI: Big Data can be used to integrate data from multiple sources such as social media tools, financial institutions, travel records, hotel stays, CDRs and criminal records. This can help create a 360-degree view of the criminal and draw linkages between criminal associates.
• More than the mere acquisition of new skills, police must develop a different mindset, including that force cannot be the answer to every situation.
• Police and security agencies, must consequently, be provided with the right attributes, and for which they need to be adequately trained. The selection of personnel to security agencies, especially the police, also will require a total makeover.

There is a need of the SMART Police — a force which would be strict and sensitive, modern and mobile, alert and accountable, reliable and responsive, techno-savvy and trained.