Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Minister of State for Social Welfare (Independent Charge), Asim Arun, emphasized the importance of skill development in modern policing at the valedictory ceremony of a five-day Vertical Interaction Course organized by the Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPR&D) at the Uttar Pradesh State Institute of Forensic Science (UPSIFS).
The course, focused on cybersecurity and forensic science, concluded successfully on Friday. Minister Arun, the chief guest, and Ashok Kumar, Joint Director, CBI (Lucknow), the special guest, were felicitated by UPSIFS Founding Director Dr. G.K. Goswami.
“Policing must evolve faster than crime”
Reflecting on his early years in policing, Asim Arun said,
“Technology has changed everything—from traditional investigation patterns to digital crime. In earlier times, locating a criminal was different. The arrival of mobile phones brought new challenges. But we adapted. Now, in the age of cybercrime and AI, police officers must stay ahead of criminals technologically.”
He urged officers to embrace the vision of “Designing a Safer Internet” and advocated for a Bright Web—a counter to the dark web—to enhance online safety. Emphasizing that digital evidence must be court-admissible, he encouraged integrating advanced tools into investigations.
Arun lauded UPSIFS’ transformation into a national center of excellence, crediting Dr. Goswami for the vision and execution. He said that skill, not rank, is the most essential aspect of effective policing.
Addressing Financial Crime and Digital Preparedness
CBI Joint Director Ashok Kumar addressed the gathering on financial crimes, highlighting the importance of a dual approach—preventive and corrective.
“Law enforcement in India must be equipped with modern databases and technology to tackle evolving crimes,” he noted, stressing the significance of continuous upskilling in the digital era.
Institutional Vision and Gratitude
Dr. G.K. Goswami acknowledged BPR&D’s support in facilitating the course and reiterated the urgency of focusing on technical competencies in policing. Administrative officer Atul Yadav, who coordinated the course, expressed his happiness over its success and shared behind-the-scenes challenges.
Attendees
The ceremony was attended by key UPSIFS faculty and officials including ASP Chiranjib Mukherjee, Atul Yadav, Vivek Kumar, PRO Santosh Tiwari, and faculty members Dr. Shruti Das, Dr. Manish Rai, Dr. Neha, Dr. Palak, among others.
This interaction course marks another milestone in empowering police officers with the tools, knowledge, and confidence to tackle 21st-century crime effectively.
