Sean Davidson
Times News Network

The first training session for a dozen police officials, who will comprise Pune's first cyber crime police station, was held on Monday, May 27. This new cyber crime squad initiative comes after the city police decided to involve their own personnel, as opposed to employing private agencies to investigate cyber crimes. The new eight-member team should be active from the third week of June.

Speaking exclusively to Pune Times, DCP (crime) Sanjay Verma said that they plan to start the cyber police station within a month.

The Asian School of Cyber Laws will conduct the 20-day training. "We are still working out the nitty-gritty's like hours per day and training material. The first day was basically to give all of us a rough idea about what it entails," added DCP Verma.

When asked how this new initiative was being funded, Verma said that the cyber squad did not require funds, as the personnel being trained were designated police officials who already drew salaries. "Our only expense will be purchase of more computers, which the government will provide."

Elaborating on the reasons for a cyber crime police station, DCP Verma said, "As of now, we have to get help from private agencies. It's more effective if we do it ourselves, because then the police has more control." On whether he felt a designated police station would make the cyber squad more efficient, he said, "Only after we make it functional, will we be able to tell how effective it is. Bangalore and Mumbai already have a station each, and they've definitely helped.

Also, the awareness is increasing. And since it's not expensive for the police or the citizen to investigate, more cases are being filed these days," he said.