NETWORK MAPPING IN POLICING:ENHANCING COMMUNITY SAFETYAND BUILDING STRATEGICINTELLIGENCE

ANNAPURNA SINGH,IPS 2020 ASP FAIZPUR,JALGAON MAHARASHTRA CADRE

Modern technology will always be a part of our daily lives in the digital era, and law enforcement is no different. One such invention is network mapping, a potent instrument that has the potential to revolutionise police enforcement, especially in delicate and riot- prone areas. As a police officer working in a police subdivision of rural Maharashtra, Ihave personally seen the effects of inter-communal conflict and the necessity of obtaining strategic intelligence. This article examines how network mapping can transform routine law enforcement and open the door to new developments.

COMPREHENDIN GRIOT-PRONE REGIONS:ORIGINS AND THE SIGNIFICANCE OF NETWORK MAPPING

When social, economic, and political issues cause divides among various community groups, an area becomes vulnerable to rioting. Due to resentment from the past, differences in wealth, and rivalry for scarce resources, communities with mixed religion populations may develop into hotspots for communal activities. Due to close-knit communities and the potential for minor disputes to quickly spiral out of control, rural areasareespeciallyvulnerabletoriots.Preventiveactionstoupholdpeaceandorderare made possible by gathering and evaluating data about these areas in order to identify underlying problems and potential triggers.

CREATING THE NETWORK MAP

The creation of a network map is a meticulous process that begins with comprehensive data collection. Here’s a step-by-step overview of how we created the network map for a riot-prone area:

of 1-5) based on human feedback and general influence within the community.

2.   NEGATIVITY SCORE CALCULATION:

◦  Severity Score: Calculated for each IPC section based on punishment severity, and whether the crime is cognizable or bailable.

◦  Negativity Score: For each individual ,this score is the average of:

▪   Count of crimes

▪   Mean number of sections in each crime

▪   Mean severity of each section

3.   NODE DATA PREPARATION:

◦  Each node represents an individual taken in the sample data set

  ◦  We combined the negativity score with the nodes data to create an updated dataset.

◦  Each person was categorized based on size(influence) and color(negativity):

▪   Big Red: High influence, high negativity

▪   Small Red :Low influence, high negativity

▪   Big Pale: High influence, low negativity

▪    Small Pale :Low influence, low negativity

USEFUL APPLICATIONS FOR EVERY DAY POLICING

•  IDENTIFICATION OF TROUBLE MAKERS:

'Big Red' circles, or people with strong influence and high negativity, can be found by examining crime statistics and social interactions. These are the crowd-pullers, and because of their capacity to enrage sizable gatherings, they may be extremely dangerous. For example, a person who has a history of planning violent protests, for instance, should be properly watched. Potential risks can be reduced with frequent meetings, passive surveillance, and timely preventive detentions.

•  TARGETED INTERVENTION:

Network mapping facilitates the classification of individuals into different categories, including 'Small Red' - characterized by modest impact but great negativity. For example, a person who has little influence but a criminal mindset. If such persons commit any violation, it must be promptly brought on record. This helps during initiation of preventive measures against the said person.

•  PACIFIERS AND INSTIGATORS

Network mapping also reveals people who are highly influential in the community yet have no criminal history. These are separated into two groups:

A.   INSTIGATORS:

These people are highly influential but have no criminal history. They frequently incite disturbance without actively taking part by working in the background. For instance, social media activity and community comments can be used to identify and keep an eye on an influential person who quietly fosters conflict within the community. Potential disturbance can be avoided with routine meetings and passive surveillance.

B.   PACIFIERS

Pacifiers, on the other hand, are powerful people who actively work to bring harmony and calm to the neighbourhood. Collaborative environments can be fostered by include these peace leaders in all peace meetings and community policing activities. They have the power to significantly reduce hostilities and advance peace within the community.

•  COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND REHABILITATION

One of the most significant aspects of network mapping is its potential for community engagement and rehabilitation. Small pale circles, the ones who have little social influence and are first time offenders can be engaged positively by offering them pathways to reintegration into society. Here’s how we approach this:

1.  Community Policing Programs:

◦  Police Play grounds :We can establish playgrounds where local youth can engage in sports and recreational activities under the supervision of police officers. This fosters trust and breaks down barriers between the police and the community.

◦  Mohalla Committees: These are neighbourhood committees where residents and police work together to address local issues. By involving community members in decision-making, we empower them and build a sense of ownership over communal peace.

◦  SHE Teams for Women’s Safety: Special teams focus on women's safety and empowerment, conducting awareness programs and providing a safe environment for women to report issues.

2.  Rehabilitation Programs:

◦  Skill Development Workshops :We offer work shops on various skills, such as carpentry, tailoring, and computer literacy, aimed at providing employment opportunities for at-risk individuals.

◦  Police Bharti Recruitment Practice: We organize practice sessions for young aspirants who wish to join the police force. This not only provides them with a career path but also instills a sense of discipline and responsibility.

◦  Kaumi Ekta Rallies: Unity rallies promote communal harmony and showcase the collective strength of diverse communities working together for peace.

ROLE IN STRATEGIC IN TELLIGENCE GATHERING

Network mapping is not just about identifying troublemakers; it's a strategic tool for intelligence gathering. By continuously updating and analyzing the data, we can recognize patterns that correlate with riot-prone spots, allocate resources more effectively, and focus surveillance efforts where they are needed most.

1.  ENHANCED INTELLIGENCE GATHERING:

◦  Regular monitoring of high-risk individuals and areas helps in recognizing potential threats early. This proactive approach allows for timely intervention and prevention of communal violence.

2.  CRIME PREDICTION AND PREVENTION:

◦  Analyzing individual behavior and social interactions can predict potential criminal activities. For instance, a sudden increase in meetings between known troublemakers can signal an impending protest or riot.

3.  STRONGER EVIDENCE COLLECTION:

◦  Network mapping provides a detailed record of individual activities and interactions. This information strengthens our evidence collection process, leading to more robust chargesheets and higher conviction rates.

QUANTITATIVE RESULTS

•  20%YEAR ON YEARI NCREASE INPREVENTIVE ACTIONS(2023vs.2024)

There was a 20% year-on-year increase in preventive actions, indicating a stronger emphasis on preempting unlawful activities rather than reacting post-incident.

By systematically identifying individuals likely to instigate disturbances, local police was able to intervene earlier and prevent smaller issues from escalating into more serious conflicts.

•     THE MAJORITY(NEARLY85%) OF BONDS EXECUTED WERE FINALBONDS

With nearly 85% of overall bonds being final bonds, it sent a strong message under the preventive provisions of the BNSS. By using network mapping to track key individuals and their associates, these final bonds carry serious consequences for anyone who breaks the peace again. This approach doesn’t just curb potential violence—it also reinforces a sense of public order, as offenders learn that violating bond conditions will come with swift and significant repercussions such as forfeiture of bond amount or even a jail term.

• ALMOST A THIRD OF BONDS EXECUTED WERE HIGH VALUED (AT RS.50,000 AND ABOVE)

Nearly a third of the final bonds were over Rs. 50,000, implying that higher sureties create stronger deterrence amongst potential repeat offenders and emphasises the seriousness of preventive measures, thereby ensuring stricter compliance and maintaining public order.

• OVER ALL  INCREASE IN PREVENTIVE DETENTIONS UNDER LOCAL LAWS

Preventive actions under the Maharashtra Police Act and the Maharashtra Preventive Detention Act saw a 30% rise, largely due to network mapping's role in identifying key troublemakers, boosting public safety.

•  YEAR-ON-YEAR GAINS IN OVERALL CONVICTIONRATES(%)-FOR OFFENCES UNDER IPC AND SPECIAL LAWS (2023 VS. 2024)

In a comparative analysis of conviction outcomes across 2023 and 2024, the success rate for offences under the Indian Penal Code (IPC)—tried at both the Judicial Magistrate of First Class (JMFC) and sessions levels—rose notably from 44% to 60%. Convictions under Special Laws also registered a positive increase, climbing from 18% to 23%.

 These improved conviction rates are largely due to network mapping, which helps identify major offenders and their connections within criminal groups. By focusing on these key individuals, investigators can gather better evidence, build stronger cases, and direct their prosecution efforts effectively. This approach strengthens the conviction process and enhances public safety.

• NETWORK MAPPING LEADS TO 40% DROPI N HURT CASES,PREVENTS COMMUNAL FLARE-UPS

Due to strategic network mapping that pinpointed and managed potential troublemakers, the number of hurt cases fell by 40%. This proactive approach not only prevented violence but also ensured that 2024 remained free of communal flare-ups, even in the midst of two major elections and festivals under a highly charged atmosphere. 

• BUILDING BRIDGES FOR LASTING HARMONY

By proactively engaging diverse stakeholders in communally sensitive areas, police fostered a culture of trust and cooperation.

•             Shantata Committees: Regular meetings brought together longstanding and newly inducted members from various communities, encouraging dialogue and shared problem-solving.

•       Cricket Ekta Cup: A tournament with 80 players divided in teams consisting of police and players from different religious backgrounds promoted unity through sports, showcasing the power of teamwork and healthy competition.

•             Self-Defense Workshops for Women: Open to all communities, the sesessions helped empower women, encouraging them to become active participants in communal harmony and safety initiatives.

•             Traffic Initiative– Aaj Gulab Udya Dand: Community policing efforts combined deterrence with positive engagement, motivating citizens to follow traffic regulations while reinforcing a sense of mutual responsibility.

•             Youth Internship Program: Identifying young individuals across communities for internships with the police department fostered goodwill, improved understanding of law enforcement, and nurtured future community leaders.

FUTURE PROSPECTS

With the development of technology, network mapping's uses in law enforcement will grow. To further improve predictive analytics, we plan to integrate machine learning and artificial intelligence. Envision a system that utilises past data to not only map existing networks but also forecast future connections and possible risks. With this degree of foresight, law enforcement can respond quickly and forcefully to maintain public safety and societal peace

CONCLUSION

This model was developed under the able leadership and guidance of Collector Jalgaon, Shri  Ayush Prasad IAS and SP Jalgaon ,Dr. Maheshwar Reddy, IPS .Network mapping is a potent technique that has the potential to completely transform policing in riot-prone areas. We are able to conduct targeted interventions and strategic intelligence collection by identifying and classifying individuals according to their influence and criminal activity. The possibilities for network mapping in law enforcement are virtually endless as technology advances. By embracing these advancements, we can pave the way for a safer, more harmonious future