Thiruvananthapuram. The State Police Chief, Ravada A. Chandrasekhar, has urged a comprehensive modernisation of the Kerala police to meet the changing nature of crime, stressing improved communication, technological adaptation and ethical policing.
Speaking at the inauguration of a State-level workshop organised by the Kerala Police Officers’ Association, Mr Chandrasekhar said criminal activity had moved into digital and largely invisible spaces, creating threats that require fresh approaches. He warned that traditional methods were inadequate to confront cyber terrorism, online fraud and other technology-driven crimes.
Kerala police modernisation must combine technology and care
Mr Chandrasekhar argued that modernisation must pair technical capability with human-centred leadership. He recommended closer collaboration with technology experts, specialised agencies and police forces in other states to build investigative capacity and resilience. He encouraged the force to embrace artificial intelligence and data-driven policing as practical tools that can improve detection, resource allocation and prevention.
“Silence is a confession of defeat,” the police chief said, noting that the challenges of 2026 differ markedly from those of previous decades. He urged officers to adopt new investigative techniques while retaining core policing values such as legality, proportionality and fairness.
Alongside technological change, Mr Chandrasekhar set out a vision of internal reform. He called for meaningful communication within the service, greater transparency and an end to a culture of silent suffering. The State Police Chief said officers should be able to speak openly about work-related stress, extended hours and mental health without fear of stigma.
Those remarks formed part of a push to replace a rigid command-and-control model with what he described as a communicate-and-care approach. He said police associations must offer safe spaces where personnel can raise concerns and seek support, noting the link between officer welfare and operational effectiveness.
Ethics and constitutional duty featured prominently in his address. Mr Chandrasekhar reminded officers that individual errors can have national impact, while acts of duty and sacrifice often go unnoticed. He urged impeccable conduct and insisted that integrity should guide policing decisions, especially under pressure.
The workshop gathered senior officers and association representatives to discuss training, technologies and welfare measures. Participants debated practical steps for integrating new tools into daily operations, improving inter-agency intelligence sharing and creating structured support for mental health and family services.
Senior officials said testing and pilot programmes would be needed to assess technology solutions and to ensure data privacy and civil liberties are protected. They recommended phased roll-outs, skills training and partnerships with academic institutions and industry to build confidence and capability.
Mr Chandrasekhar concluded by urging steady, principled change. He called on the force to modernise decisively while preserving the rule of law and public trust. His message was that a future-ready police service will be one that marries modern technology with open communication and a commitment to ethical policing.
Key Takeaways:
- Kerala police modernisation urged to confront cybercrime and technology-driven threats.
- Leadership calls for a communicate-and-care model to address officer welfare and internal transparency.
- Adoption of AI and data-driven policing and collaboration with specialists and other agencies recommended.
- Integrity and adherence to the Constitution highlighted as non-negotiable principles for officers.
