Thiruvananthapuram: City police are planning to introduce an artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted, technology-driven night patrolling system in the state capital to tackle increasingly sophisticated crimes involving cyber tools and AI.The proposed system aims to integrate AI, facial recognition, GPS-based vehicle tracking and real-time monitoring of patrol teams to strengthen preventive policing and improve emergency response during night hours.The initial phase is likely to focus on residential neighbourhoods, the Kazhakkoottam IT corridor and educational institutions, which have been identified as priority areas for enhanced surveillance, said police sources.A key component of the proposal is a technology-enabled monitoring system that would allow police control rooms to track night patrols in real time. Live dashboards are expected to display the location of patrol vehicles, route deviations, facial recognition alerts and the status of field inspections, enabling supervisory officers to monitor patrol movements and ensure compliance with assigned duties.Under the proposed framework, patrol teams will also use the mobile-integrated core policing system (miCoPS) application during field checks to verify the identity of suspects. In addition, an AI-assisted vehicle deployment system is planned to help control rooms identify and dispatch the nearest available patrol unit during emergencies, reducing response time.“Criminals are increasingly using cyber tools and artificial intelligence to commit offences. Policing must also evolve by adopting advanced technologies to prevent crime and improve response mechanisms,” said a senior police officer.Another senior officer said the proposal has received in-principle approval, but the mode of implementation was yet to be finalised. “The proposal has been finalised in principle. Whether it will be introduced as a pilot project or implemented on a larger scale will be decided after discussions with senior officials. Presently, the focus is on residential areas, IT hubs such as Kazhakkoottam and educational institutions,” said the officer.Officials said the technology-driven initiative was intended to complement conventional policing rather than replace it. By combining AI-powered tools with routine patrols, the police hope to improve surveillance, strengthen coordination between patrol teams and control rooms, and enhance crime prevention during night hours.The implementation timeline is yet to be finalised. However, senior officers said the initiative formed part of Kerala Police’s broader strategy to modernise night policing and equip the force to respond more effectively to evolving crime patterns.
