Priorities to Policing a Smart City: A Search for Predilection of the Citizens

The movement towards urban transformation has brought to light the need for modernization and technical sophistication of urban areas all across the globe. The smart cities have promised to serve the purpose of providing its residents the best amenities, infrastructure and security. In India too, the hundred smart cities are a part of the mission to transform urban areas through government and private enterprises and various developmental projects. In the process of this transition the law enforcement agencies are also witnessing a march towards technological advancements and better services to the stakeholders. In lieu of this, the present study is an attempt to unravel the opinion of the residents of two smart cities of Kolkata and Bhubaneswar setting priorities to the police commissionerates for initiating smart policing practices. Primary data has been collected through face to face interview of four hundred residents of two smart cities of eastern India namely Kolkata and Bhubaneswar. The residents have expressed their views about the priorities that the police in these cities should keep in mind while initiating best practices in smart policing. Further the findings have set forward a vision and goals that are to be given consideration to make the cities safer and secure for the residents. Technological upgradation to fight crimes, sustainable environments for the future generations and people friendly police can really fulfil the goals set forth.