Bengaluru city police taps AI for faster response, rescues, and narcotics crackdown

The Bengaluru city police have begun installing dash cams (dashboard cameras) in patrolling vehicles.

Bengaluru city police is increasingly leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) under its Safe City Project to enhance public safety, reduce response time, and optimise policing resources.

Officials said AI-driven surveillance, facial recognition, predictive policing models, and integrated command operations provides real-time situational awareness, predictive policing, and rapid deployment of resources. The safe city project ensures 24x7 monitoring across Bengaluru which enables swift response to emergencies reported through ‘Namma 112’ helpline.

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Bengaluru city police commissioner Seemant Kumar Singh told Moneycontrol: “Once we receive a distress call through 112, we don’t need to ask the caller about the location. Our technology maps the exact location and dispatches the nearest Hoysala patrolling vehicle. The average response time is 10 minutes, varying between 2 and 20 minutes.”

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He added that around 10,000 cameras have been installed through the safe city project, along with access to 5 lakh cameras in private establishments and residences, all geo-tagged. “Any police station can access up to 20 minutes of footage from these cameras online without hassle. Our AI-enabled face recognition cameras and Automatic Number-Plate Recognition systems help trace individuals very quickly,” he said.

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On November 11, at 6:18am, a man and woman were seen arguing near Tree Park Metro station. Residents called ‘Namma 112’ helpline. The Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC) analysed live footage using AI and ML and dispatched Hoysala patrolling vehicle from Kadugodi police station. Officers reached the scene within 12 minutes. The woman, who had sustained serious injuries, was already shifted to a nearby hospital. Police confirmed she was out of danger and launched a search operation using AI-assisted facial recognition to trace the accused.

Later that day, at 9:35am, a resident reported an abandoned infant in Halasur Gate police limits. The ICCC analysed CCTV footage with AI support and alerted Hoysala staff, who reached the site within 14 minutes. The baby was admitted to Vanivilas Hospital for urgent care. Authorities are reviewing AI-assisted video analytics to identify the person responsible.

On November 5, a foreign national involved in selling banned narcotics was apprehended at Chikkabanahalli, Kadugodi, following a tip-off to ‘Namma 112.’ The ICCC used AI and ML to alert Hoysala staff, who arrived within 16 minutes. Police seized 361 ecstasy tablets (162 grams) valued at Rs 8 lakh.

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