Mumbai Police Connects

In the latest tech-savvy move, the Mumbai Police has launched a new websitewww.copconnect.inexclusively

designed and built keeping in mind the younger generation of the city. The site

is aimed at youths and bids to connect the police department with younger

generation.

The Mumbai Police Commissioner had this idea of creating a website and

wanted the site that could connect with the youth, informs Mumbai Polices

Cyber Cell Committee member and IT expert Vijay Mukhi, who was involved with the

Mumbai Police for the web initiative. Before the site was planned and designed,

we had examined many international websites and portals that are youth targeted

such as Facebook and others. We are trying to understand the latest trends that

can help connect with the youths, he explains.

Copconnects appearance suggests how the police department has taken care to

create a different look and feel to the site. The existing site,

Mumbaipolice.org, which is meant for all generations, would also be functional,

says Mukhi.

The site has been designed to bring in interactivity between the department

and the youth. In doing so, leading from the front, Mumbais Commissioner of

Police, D Shivanand has started his blog on the site, where he talks to the

youth and discuss social issues.

In fact, in his first blog post, titled Connecting with youth, the

commissioner says, I feel fortunate that I can reach out to you directly via

this simple, yet effective technology. I hope this blog opens up a dialog

between the police and the young people of the society. Importantly, its a

welcome step in initiating a communication or dialog between the police

department and youth and, the citizens at large, particularly in India, where

majority of population still hold fear and avoid interacting with police

department.

In reply to the commissioners blog post, a young citizen comments, I really

appreciate initiating this kind of a blog as it is the best informal way of

interacting.

The site also focuses on social issues such as alcoholism, drugs and tobacco

abuse and invites non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to get registered with

the department and work jointly in fighting social evils in the society.

From the user perspective, the site offers latest local news, information and

details about events in the city, along with web links of key government

departments and offices. Also, users can download various forms and applications

such as police clearance certificate (PCC), police no objection certificate (NOC),

passport verification form, arm license applications and many more.

Its not for the first time that such a website has been launched by the

police department. However, if other states and departments also take such

initiative, that would help in breaking the ice and bring in better

understanding, communication and governance.

Pankaj Maru/CIOL



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