In a significant move aimed at preventing the misuse of police identity cards, Mumbai Police personnel will soon be issued digital identity cards, replacing the current printed versions that are vulnerable to forgery.
According to sources, this decision has been taken to curb the growing menace of fake identity cards, which have been used by impersonators to mislead citizens and commit fraud. Currently, all officers and staff in the Mumbai Police force use printed ID cards. However, the ease with which these cards can be duplicated has led to several instances of people being cheated by individuals posing as police officers.
In response to the increasing threat, the Mumbai Police Commissioner had submitted a proposal to the Home Department seeking approval to introduce technology-enabled, secure digital identity cards for all officers and employees. The proposal has now received the green light from the department.
The Home Department has approved a budget of ₹4 crore for the implementation of this initiative. The digital ID cards are expected to incorporate advanced security features, making them significantly harder to replicate and thereby enhancing public trust and safety.