Modernisation, communication key to policing future challenges: State Police Chief

Emphasising the need to modernise the force to meet emerging security challenges, State Police Chief Ravada A. Chandrasekhar has said that effective communication, technological adaptation and ethical policing will define the future of law enforcement in Kerala.

Inaugurating a State-level workshop of the Kerala Police Officers’ Association in Thiruvananthapuram on Friday, he also stressed the need for meaningful communication, internal transparency and empathy-driven policing.

Mr. Chandrasekhar said the nature of crime had undergone a fundamental transformation, with criminals increasingly operating in digital and invisible spaces. “The challenges of 2026 are very different from those of the 1990s. In the age of cyber terrorism, online fraud and technology-driven crime, silence is a confession of defeat,” he said.

He also underscored the need for modernisation by collaborating with technology experts, other States and specialised agencies to effectively tackle cybercrime and emerging threats. He called for embracing artificial intelligence and data-driven policing which, he described, as among the languages of the future.

Communicate and care

Mr. Chandrasekhar also called for greater transparency and openness within the force. He said officers should be encouraged to speak about work-related stress, long hours of work and mental health challenges. The time had come to move from a rigid command-and-control approach to a communicate-and-care model

“For too long, the khaki culture was one of silent suffering. We cannot protect society if our own officers are burning out in silence,” he said, adding that the association should act as a safe platform for officers to share their concerns.

Mr. Chandrasekhar also stressed on the moral responsibility of police officers. He said integrity and adherence to the Constitution should guide their actions, especially during times of pressure. “A single officer’s mistake becomes a headline, while the sacrifices of thousands go unnoticed. We should speak our truth through impeccable conduct,” he said.