Before new fines kick in, cops to get body cams

A Arun, Additional Commissioner (Traffic), said that the body-worn cameras would be distributed by next week. After these cameras were introduced on a trial basis in the city last year, senior officers found it useful especially in instances where there were public-police confrontations.

As enforcement of helmet rule for pillion riders as per Madras High Court’s instructions led to frequent conflicts between the police and public, the officers anticipate a similar situation when the revised fines are introduced. Also, with the fines having been increased up to five times even for small offences, the Police department wants to ensure that traffic police personnel issue e-challan and don’t receive bribes from the violators. 

The body-worn cameras would be internet-enabled and connected to a central server for the officers to check any camera at any time, thus making the enforcement officers work in a responsible manner. In addition to the upgraded e-challan machines provided for the traffic enforcement officers to make fines cashless, body-worn cameras are also expected to bring down the allegations of bribery.

When contacted, a traffic enforcement officer said that they have been instructed to charge fines as usual and that they would be informed before the revised fines are introduced. “Now, we have to enter the relevant sections and fine sum will automatically pop up. Once the revised fines are entered in the central server, it will reflect in our e-challans,” he said.