The Gujarat Police have introduced a new initiative called GP-SMASH to connect with citizens through social media. This initiative allows residents to tag the official Gujarat Police account on X (formerly Twitter) to report issues. The aim is to resolve complaints swiftly, often within hours, by directing them to the appropriate officers. Recently, a vigilant citizen named Sushil Kumar Tiwari posted a complaint about a drug addict behaving inappropriately on a moving train. The GP-SMASH team quickly responded, tagging the Western Railway authorities to take action. As a result, the police apprehended the suspect before the train reached Surat. The citizen praised the prompt response and provided positive feedback.
Since its launch on March 1, 2025, GP-SMASH has received 335 complaints in three months and successfully resolved 310 of them. This initiative ensures that the police monitor criminal activities and citizen complaints on social media around the clock. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and guidance from State Home Minister Harsh Sanghvi, the initiative has started receiving excellent feedback from the public. Citizens are encouraged to tag their district or unit heads to ensure timely resolutions.
GP-SMASH operates through a dedicated state-level team that monitors social media for police-related posts and crimes. When a complaint is flagged, the team alerts the relevant authorities for immediate investigation. This includes issues related to law and order, traffic problems, cyber fraud, and more. The police heads from various districts and ranges continuously monitor the actions taken in response to these posts.
As a result of GP-SMASH, citizens feel more secure knowing that police are merely a click away. This initiative has transformed social media complaints from mere trends into actionable items, leading to increased public trust in the police. The GP-SMASH project represents a significant step towards a responsible and technology-driven policing system in Gujarat. The police are now not only present on social media but also actively engaging with the community to ensure safety and security.