Odisha: Highway cops to get more power

BHUBANESWAR: The Crime Branch has sent a proposal to the commerce and transport department to empower special police officers (SPO), who are engaged in highway patrolling in the state, to penalise traffic offenders.
At present, SPOs are not authorised to issue challans to traffic violators as they were appointed following their retirement from Odisha police.
"We have sent a proposal to the commerce and transport department to delegate power to the SPOs to issue challans relating to Motor Vehicles Act. Another proposal has been sent to the home department seeking delegation of power to the SPOs to arrest drunk drivers. Such legal powers, if given to the highway patrol units, would improve safety on highways," additional director general of police (Crime Branch) Sanjeeb Panda said.
A software application is being designed to monitor the performance of highway patrol units.
The application will be incorporated in the Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and Systems (CCTNS). The superintendents of police have been asked to arrange vehicles for the patrolling units in their jurisdictions.