Pune Police to Launch ‘Cop-24’ Initiative to Strengthen Public Safety by Reducing Response Time on 112 to Under 5 Minutes

Pune city police are set to implement the ‘Cop-24’ initiative, a technology-driven patrolling system aimed at increasing police visibility, reducing response time, and improving citizen safety. The initiative, which will be inaugurated by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on February 15, seeks to enhance law enforcement efficiency through real-time monitoring and strategic deployment of police personnel across the city.

Enhanced Patrolling with Quick Response Mechanism

The ‘Cop-24’ initiative will focus on reducing police response time to emergency calls from the current seven minutes to under five minutes. A centralized control system, managed by the crime branch, will oversee the entire operation to ensure seamless coordination.

To support this, 123 two-wheelers and 39 four-wheelers have been equipped with GPS tracking, enabling real-time monitoring of beat marshals and their movement. This will prevent negligence in duty and ensure strict accountability among patrolling officers.

Key Features of ‘Cop-24’

✔ Faster Response Times: Emergency calls made to the 112-helpline will be attended to within five minutes.
✔ Strategic Deployment: High-crime zones have been mapped to optimize police patrolling and resource allocation.
✔ Technology-Driven Policing:

• QR code-based monitoring to track patrol movements.
• Live integration with the police control room for coordinated dispatch.
  ✔ Accountability & Transparency:
• Body cameras installed on uniforms to record interactions, ensuring fair conduct and evidence collection.
  ✔ Advanced Training & Equipment:
• Officers will receive training on critical incident handling and modern policing methods.
• Deployment of modern weapons for effective law enforcement.

Women-Focused Policing

To enhance safety and support for women, female beat marshals will be deployed to handle complaints received via the police helpline. This initiative aims to create a comfortable environment for women to report grievances freely and ensure a sensitive approach to gender-related crime.

Structure of ‘Cop-24’

🔹 Citywide Coverage Across 39 Police Stations: Each jurisdiction will have dedicated beat marshals.
🔹 Coordinated Response System: Close collaboration with the police control room for real-time monitoring.
🔹 726 Beat Marshals on Duty: Patrolling on 125 two-wheelers and CR mobile vans for efficient movement through congested areas.

Data-Driven Crime Prevention & Public Engagement

One of the most significant aspects of ‘Cop-24’ is its data-driven approach. The police will analyze crime occurrence patterns, pinpointing specific locations, times, and types of incidents. This hotspot mapping will help officers focus their patrols on areas with high crime rates, ensuring preventive action before incidents occur.

Law Enforcement Perspective

According to Amitesh Kumar, Pune Police Commissioner, the ‘Cop-24’ system is designed to modernize policing, reduce crime rates, and enhance citizen trust in law enforcement.

Additional Commissioner of Police (Crime), Shailesh Balkawade, emphasized that this initiative will introduce centralized patrolling, replacing station-level beat systems. Unlike earlier, when VIP movements affected police deployment, Cop-24 will ensure uninterrupted 24-hour patrolling, withdrawn only in extreme emergencies.

The initiative is expected to significantly improve safety, particularly in high-crime areas, while fostering greater trust between the police and the public.

Conclusion

With Pune’s rapid urban growth, initiatives like ‘Cop-24’ play a vital role in ensuring public security through technology-driven, data-backed policing strategies. By reducing response time, deploying better-equipped officers, and increasing police visibility, Pune Police is taking a significant step toward a safer and more secure city.