PCR vans in Noida mounted with high-resolution cameras

The district police have started mounting cameras on police control room (PCR) vans to capture movements of suspects and police officers during raids, at checkpoints, during protests and other emergencies.

The district police have started mounting cameras on police control room (PCR) vans to capture movements of suspects and police officers during raids, at checkpoints, during protests and other emergencies. The pilot project was started earlier this month.

The police said a circular will be issued asking operators of the 56 PCR vans in Noida and Greater Noida to place the vehicles strategically for efficient video recording.(Sunil Ghosh/HT Photo)

Unlike dashboard cameras used by the police forces of many countries, the district police are mounting cameras, with sound recording capabilities, atop PCR vans.

“The camera will increase transparency. It will remain functional throughout the day. The policemen inside the vehicle can view its feed through a small monitor. Footage from the cameras will be saved for 15-30 days at the centre for cyber crime investigation (CCCI) office in Sector 6,” Vishwajeet Srivastava, superintendent of police (crime branch), Gautam Budh Nagar, said.

Unlike CCTV cameras, the footage from these cameras will be of high resolution to identify faces of people who are 30-50 feet away. High sound quality also adds to the size of the footage.

“In situations such as violent protests, these cameras will be very helpful. To safeguard the cameras during incidents such as stone pelting or damage to police vehicles during protests and riots, the cameras are being covered with a thick aluminium sheet. Responders can identify attackers from the footage,” Srivastava said.

Also, the police said that a circular will be issued asking operators of the 56 PCR vans in Noida and Greater Noida to place the vehicles strategically for efficient video recording.

“We received complaints about police officers misbehaving or demanding money during checking drives. This camera will be used as a tool of transparency. If any person approaches us with a complaint against an officer during a checking drive, we can find the truth from the footage,” Srivastava said.

The police, however, are yet to ascertain the storage capacity of the recordings and a dedicated server for the same. “The installation is under process. Once it is done, we will finalise the server and storage capacity,” Srivastava said.