Underscored critical role of AI and technology in modern policing law enforcement

Amaravati, March 25, 2025: At the Third Collectors’ Conference here on Tuesday, Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu underscored the critical role of AI and technology in modern policing, urging law enforcement agencies to stay ahead of criminals through data-driven strategies. 

He stressed the need for precision in investigations, highlighting that lack of data leads to weak cases and pointing to forensic evidence protection as a crucial aspect of crime-solving. He cited the YS Vivekananda Reddy murder case as a lesson in investigative lapses, stressing that disruption of crime scenes must be treated as a crime itself. The CM also directed police officials to integrate satellite data and AI-backed analytics in countering Maoist threats at the Odisha-Chhattisgarh borders.

The Chief Minister also announced that a four-member committee would be formed to upgrade deaddiction centres, aiming to curb substance abuse and addiction. He instructed officials to present the outcomes of these initiatives at the next Collectors’ Conference.

In a futuristic vision, Naidu announced plans for Quantum Valley, positioning Andhra Pradesh as a leader in Quantum Computing, which will revolutionize tech-driven law enforcement. He encouraged police to computerize criminal tracking, implement night drone patrols, and develop AI applications that could set a national benchmark in policing.

Crime and Law Enforcement Overview:
The state of Andhra Pradesh has recorded a 14% overall reduction in crimes over the past nine months. Specific improvements include a 7.2% drop in crimes against women and a 9.2% decline in crimes against SCs and STs. The state has also seen a 17% decrease in crimes compared to the previous year. However, economic offenses and cybercrimes remain areas of concern, with Andhra Pradesh ranking 5th in the country for cybercrimes and experiencing a 133% rise in cyber fraud cases, amounting to a loss of Rs 131 crore. The police have initiated a new Cyber Crime Vertical led by DIG/IG and are training 500 cyber commandos to combat the growing threat.

Use of Technology and AI in Policing:
The Andhra Pradesh Police Department is actively integrating AI-driven tools to enhance efficiency. AI-powered traffic management (AsTRaM) in Vijayawada has reduced congestion from 111 km to 68 km across 83 junctions. AI-based case management and legal assistance (SmartPolice.ai) in Eluru is helping expedite case resolution with increased legal accuracy. The police have resolved over 22,000 cases using AI tools and digital forensics. The E-Sakshya App ensures evidence integrity through audio-video recording, further enhancing the reliability of investigations.
The state is also leveraging drones for patrols, having conducted 9,565 drone patrols and 4,479 bandobast operations using 187 drones, while 75,749 CCTV cameras have been installed since June 2024 to improve surveillance.

Community Engagement & Safety Measures:
The police have conducted 16,609 community engagement programs with the participation of 9.55 lakh citizens. Initiatives such as Mahila Meekosam (women empowerment), Nenu Cyber Smart (cyber awareness), and Suraksha (community safety) have strengthened police-community relations. A specialized Women & Child Safety Wing, headed by an IGP-rank officer, has been established to further enhance security.

The recently launched Shakti App, featuring 13 safety tools, has recorded 33,000 downloads, with 1,400 SOS calls handled. Backed by 164 Shakti teams, it has contributed to a 7.2% reduction in crimes against women and 3,035 history sheets opened for repeat offenders. Fast-tracking of trials resulted in 94 convictions in the last 8 months, with 21 life sentences awarded.