Mangaluru: Mangaluru police’s strength has been boosted with new 25 Maruti Ertiga patrolling vehicles. Home Minister Dr G Parameshwar launched the new vehicles on Thursday at Mangaluru police commissioner’s office.

“The response time during emergency has been reduced to five minutes. It will help the police to respond in a quick time. Vehicles are equipped with tablets and GPS tracking system,” he said.

He further said that in coming two weeks the same facility will be provided to Mysuru, Belagavi and Hubballi districts. Curbing the crime and enhancing the safety of the people are the prime priority of providing patrolling vehicles.

About the promotion process of constables he said that previously the time period for promotion was 22 years and now it has been reduced to 10. A constable will retire as ASI at the end of his service.

“We have recruited 16,000 police constables in the state. Recruitment process of 1,000 SI’s and 8,000 constables is going on,” he added.

MLA J R Lobo, MLA Mohiudhin Bava, Commissioner Chandra Sekhar, DCPs Shantharaju and Sanjeev Patil and others were present.