Pune: In a significant step towards enhancing crime-solving efficiency, the Pune City Police have launched Investigative Bike (I-Bike) teams to gather crucial physical evidence from crime scenes. This initiative aims to boost the rate of crime detection and facilitate swifter apprehension of criminals.
The city police commissionerate is implementing this measure to ensure strict adherence to new legal protocols. For crimes warranting a punishment of seven years or more, forensic team members must visit the crime scene.
Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar has initiated the formation of I-Bike teams to comply with this mandate. Initially, these specialized teams will be deployed by division, with each I-Bike manned by two police officers.
These officers will meticulously collect and seal physical evidence using scientific methods before handing it over to the investigating officers.
Officers with scientific backgrounds are prioritized for the I-Bike teams and are receiving training from chemical analysts and scientific assistants at the regional forensic laboratory.
The use of motorcycles ensures rapid response times to crime scenes. I-Bike team members will operate under the directives of the Deputy Commissioner of Police for each division.
Key details include:
Police training for scientific evidence collection
Appointment of 20 police officers in the first phase
Immediate communication to I-Bike officers from the main control room
Each I-Bike team equipped with walkie-talkies
Duties of I-Bike officers:
Depart promptly for the crime scene upon receiving information from the main control room
Record the incident in the station diary post-investigation
Collect and document evidence scientifically
Submit weekly reports to the Deputy Commissioner of Police every Monday
Shailesh Balkawade, Additional Police Commissioner (Crime Branch) said, "Under Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar’s guidance, ten I-Bikes have been introduced on a trial basis in the city. The number of I-Bike teams is expected to increase, enhancing the ability to gather physical evidence and identify suspects more efficiently."
