Karnataka to launch innovation centre for smarter city policing

Bengaluru, Sep 8 (The Indian Express) – The state government of Karnataka said it will create a dedicated innovation centre to modernise policing in its rapidly growing cities. The initiative, unveiled by the Home Department, seeks to harness technology, data analytics and research to improve law‑enforcement efficiency and public safety.
The centre will serve as a hub for developing and testing new tools such as predictive policing algorithms, real‑time surveillance integration and mobile applications for citizen reporting. Officials expect it to foster collaboration between police officers, tech startups and academic institutions.
Funding for the project will come from the state’s budget and possible central‑government grants, with the centre slated to become operational by early next year. Authorities anticipate that the innovation hub will reduce response times, curb crime rates and set a benchmark for other Indian states.
Stakeholders have been invited to submit proposals for pilot projects, and a steering committee will oversee the rollout to ensure alignment with existing police protocols.
The move reflects Karnataka’s broader push to adopt smart‑city solutions and position itself as a leader in public‑sector innovation.