In Madhya Pradesh, cops are using AI to modernise: ‘We need a new type of policing’

By | June 23, 2025
AI policing in Madhya Pradesh - smart surveillance and night patrol mapping

Madhya Pradesh is leading the way in tech-driven law enforcement with a bold vision—AI policing. In recent months, the state’s police force has embraced artificial intelligence to fight crime faster and more efficiently. From cybercrime tracking to night patrol mapping, AI policing in Madhya Pradesh is setting a strong example for the rest of the country.

Faster Cybercrime Response Using AI

In a bid to tackle the growing menace of cybercrime, Madhya Pradesh Police have revamped the response system tied to the national helpline 1930. Victims now receive a callback within five minutes, thanks to AI-supported outbound call centres established in Bhopal, Indore, Jabalpur, Gwalior, and Ujjain.

AI tools prioritise complaints and assign officers based on workload and urgency. In Indore, cyber officers recovered over ₹12.5 crore in fraud-related money in 2024, a sharp improvement from previous years. ADCP Rajesh Dandotiya attributes the success to quick action enabled by automated tracking systems.

Smart Patrol Heatmaps Reduce Crime

To improve night-time safety, Indore’s Zone-2 police introduced a mobile-based app that logs GPS-tagged images of patrols. The data is fed into an AI engine that generates heatmaps, showing which areas are covered and which are not.

This real-time insight helps in redirecting resources instantly. Since launching this program in August 2023, night-time crimes in the zone have dropped by 30%. “We used to rely on word-of-mouth confirmation,” said a zone officer. “Now, everything is mapped and monitored.”

AI at Checkpoints: Tackling Illegal Mining

AI is also helping to prevent illegal activities, such as mineral smuggling. The government has deployed 41 AI-powered e-check gates across transport routes. These gates use automatic number plate recognition (ANPR), RFID tags, and weight sensors to verify transport permits.

Four smart gates are already operational. By the end of 2025, the entire rollout will be complete. When a truck’s data doesn’t match records, an alert is sent instantly to the nearest police unit. This system cuts down on corruption and manual errors.

Digital Tools for Ground Officers

The E-Rakshak app is empowering beat constables with real-time criminal records, vehicle tracking, and even face recognition features. It won the FICCI Smart Policing Award in 2024 and is now being used in multiple districts.

At the citizen level, the CitizenCOP app enables people to report crimes anonymously. It is especially useful in cases like domestic abuse, drug use, or theft, where fear of retaliation keeps victims silent. The app is already active in Bhopal and Indore.

Training Officers for the Future

Modern policing requires modern skills. Madhya Pradesh Police signed an MoU with RGPV to train all new constables in basic computer skills starting March 2025. Meanwhile, senior officers are attending training at Cambridge University to learn about digital evidence handling, AI use in policing, and community engagement strategies.

This two-level training approach ensures the force remains digitally literate and globally aligned.

E-FIR System Coming Soon

The police department is also working on launching an e-FIR system that allows victims to file complaints online. The backend AI software will triage the complaints and detect patterns across cases. This would reduce paperwork, human interference, and manipulation—making the justice system faster and fairer.

Government Push for Smarter Policing

Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has publicly stated the need for a tech-first police force. Under his leadership, new cyber desks have been set up in every police station, supported by 24/7 cybercrime cells. The government has also allocated funds for AI-enabled drug tracking, smuggling detection, and social media monitoring.

The vision is clear: smarter, faster, and more citizen-focused policing.

Conclusion: A Model for Modern India

AI policing in Madhya Pradesh is not just a trend—it’s a long-term transformation. With smart patrols, AI-powered checkpoints, and digital public outreach, the state is crafting a template for others to follow. The fusion of human intelligence with artificial intelligence is helping officers work smarter, not harder.

As technology continues to evolve, so will the way police serve and protect. Madhya Pradesh is proving that innovation in law enforcement isn’t just possible—it’s essential.