President Murmu highlights changing nature of policing

New Delhi, Oct 27: President Droupadi Murmu today said that technology has transformed the landscape of policing, urging young Indian Police Service (IPS) probationers to stay ahead in adapting to emerging tools, including artificial intelligence.

Addressing the probationers of the 77th Regular Recruit (2024 batch) at Rashtrapati Bhavan, the President observed that expressions like “digital arrest,” once unimaginable a decade ago, have now become a dreaded reality for citizens.

She said that in today’s digital era, crimes are no longer confined to physical spaces, and law enforcement must evolve rapidly to deal with threats that originate in the virtual world.

“India has one of the largest and fastest-growing AI user bases, and this will inevitably shape the future of policing,” she said, adding that officers must remain several steps ahead of those who misuse technology.

The President reminded the young officers that while technology has changed the tools of policing, compassion must remain at the heart of their service.

Continuous exposure to crime and criminals, she cautioned, can desensitise officers and blunt their humaneness.

She urged them to consciously nurture empathy and integrity while striving to be effective enforcers of the law.

President Murmu also highlighted that law and order are a critical foundation for economic progress.

Effective policing, she said, is as essential as economic incentives in attracting investment and ensuring sustained growth.

A future-ready police force led by dedicated young officers, she added, will be pivotal in building a “Viksit Bharat.”

Emphasising accountability and ethics in public service, the President noted that with authority comes responsibility and scrutiny.

She urged the officers to always act in a just and fair manner, even in emergencies, and to rely on personal and professional integrity as their greatest source of real authority.

“Moral authority,” she said, “will earn you respect, trust, and the confidence of the people you serve.”