Nagpur: City police commissioner Vishwas Nagre Patil has directed the formation of dedicated WhatsApp groups at multiple tiers to strengthen citizen-police collaboration in combating crime.“The initiative covers police station-level, divisional and CP-level groups of around 100 members, creating a robust network for real-time information sharing,” said a senior-level official.The primary objective of these groups is to facilitate seamless exchange of intelligence on criminal activities, anti-social elements, organised rackets, and other sensitive issues requiring immediate police intervention.Alert messages can be promptly sent to the department for swift action. Non-political stakeholders from diverse walks of life and professions — including professionals, businessmen, social workers, and vigilant citizens — will be included to ensure broad-based inputs.This move draws inspiration from CP Patil’s successful Kolhapur experiment, where similar WhatsApp groups proved extremely fruitful during his past tenure.In Kolhapur, the platform generated valuable criminal intelligence, helped track movements of suspects, identified key persons involved in illegal activities, and significantly enhanced preventive policing through active citizen participation, said a top cop.“Such platforms bridge the gap between police and citizens, turning every vigilant eye into an asset for safer communities,” sources familiar with the initiative said. The groups are expected to promote sharing of verified information while maintaining strict protocols to prevent misuse.By replicating the Kolhapur model in Nagpur, the CP aims to boost ground-level intelligence gathering, improve response times to emerging threats, and foster greater public trust in law enforcement.Senior officers have been tasked with constituting these groups, ensuring inclusion of credible members who can provide meaningful contributions.Officials believe this digital engagement tool will prove instrumental in curbing organised crime, illegal activities, frauds, and other urban challenges for law enforcement agencies.This citizen-centric approach is expected to yield strong results in making Nagpur safer while reinforcing the bond between police and the public they serve.
