Police officers can now swipe right to crack crime

Coimbatore: City police commissioner V Balakrishnan handed over 42 tablet computers to inspectors and sub-inspectors of 14 police stations in the city on Saturday.The tablets are preloaded with crime-fighting apps such as Smart Kavalar, Face Recognition Software (FRS) and Crime and Criminal Tracking Network & Systems (CCTNS), Balakrishnan told reporters. “Cops on patrol duty are already using FRS and Smart Kavalar on their phones. Now, police officers can also use them to confirm suspects’ identity, sitting at the station. We hope the initiative will prevent unnecessary harassment.”The officers can also track patrolling personnel on the e-beat system. “They are barred from installing any other app on the tablets. The devices are being monitored,” Balakrishnan said.Police will distribute stickers with helpline numbers among school students from Monday. “The stickers will have contact numbers of the police control room, Childline and women’s help centre. It will help children in distress to contact us. School vans and school buses will also have the stickers,” Balakrishnan added. TNN