October 1, 2026, (Inside AI) — The Karnataka government has established three expert committees to overhaul the state police department, with a mandate to integrate artificial intelligence into policing, revamp citizen services, and restructure its workforce. The panels, led by retired directors-general of police R K Dutta, M N Reddy, and Kamal Pant, have been given two months to submit their recommendations.
The committees will examine the police-public interface, modernisation including AI and cyber capabilities, and cadre and recruitment systems. This move signals a broader shift in Indian policing, where states are increasingly turning to technology to address rising cybercrime and demands for better service delivery.
The first committee, headed by R K Dutta, will review all citizen-facing services, from FIR registration and complaint receipt to cybercrime reporting and permissions. It will assess whether these services are accessible and efficient, and identify gaps in delivery. The panel will also examine community policing efforts, police station infrastructure, and staffing needs based on population. It has been asked to propose key performance indicators and a Citizen Charter that sets out service timeframes.
The second committee, led by M N Reddy, will craft a modernisation plan covering emergency response, the 112 system, forensic labs, police vehicles, and communication systems. A central focus is the use of AI in policing. The committee will explore where AI-based systems can be incorporated into law-and-order management and assess training academies and staff welfare. It has been directed to prepare a phased plan based on priorities and resources, not a one-time procurement exercise.
The third committee, under Kamal Pant, will review manpower and cadre structure. It will examine sanctioned strength, recruitment rules, promotion opportunities, and the balance between direct recruitment and promotional posts. The panel will also assess the need for new post categories and reclassification of existing ones, including posts for drivers and lower-level employees.
These reviews come as Karnataka considers dividing the Bengaluru city police commissionerate into five commissionerates and creating additional posts. The government has also discussed an urban policing innovation mechanism to develop technology-led solutions and improve coordination with transport and traffic departments. The integration of technology and data across agencies reflects a broader move towards treating policing as part of an interconnected urban governance system.
Home Minister Priyank Kharge said modernisation should not be limited to purchasing equipment but should also cover technology, human resources, training, infrastructure, communication systems, and citizen services.
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The committees have two months to submit their recommendations. Their work will likely influence how Karnataka balances technological adoption with human resource challenges, a tension playing out in police forces globally as they confront sophisticated cyber threats and public expectations for transparency.
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