Unmanned Smart Police Stations Revolutionize Crime Prevention and Investigative Services

Addis Ababa, June 24, 2026 (ENA)__The institutional launch of unmanned Smart Police Stations (SPS) has opened a definitive new chapter in the ongoing national security reform agenda aimed at making policing services universally accessible, the Ethiopian Federal Police announced.

The introduction of these high-tech hubs represents a major breakthrough in reinforcing the Digital Ethiopia 2030 strategy, ensuring that national law enforcement institutions remain robust, highly modern, and competitive.

The Ethiopian Federal Police announced that the implementation of Smart Police Stations marks a watershed moment in the comprehensive national reform strategy designed to decentralize and expand the reach of policing services.

It is noteworthy that Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed officially inaugurated and operationalized Africa's first unmanned Smart Police Station (SPS) in February 2018.

During the launching ceremony, the Prime Minister emphasized that this futuristic facility enables citizens to secure essential public safety services with unprecedented speed, entirely backed by modern technology.

The Prime Minister further noted at the time that the framework equips law enforcement with the capability to execute swift tactical responses while substantially streamlining broader crime prevention operations.

By blending advanced technology with enhanced civic engagement, the automated service makes remarkable contributions to the daily execution of crime prevention and law enforcement duties.

Head of Institutional Operations at the Ethiopian Federal Police, Chief Inspector Andinet Sisay, told ENA that the unmanned smart service has successfully converted legacy, paper-based bureaucratic workflows—where citizens had to physically present themselves to open files—into a sophisticated digital ecosystem.

He noted that this innovative platform operates completely autonomously, delivering vital services through fully automated digital interfaces without requiring a physical police presence on-site.

He pointed out that the facility allows visitors to seamlessly manage their inquiries, log incidents, and process paperwork through intuitive self-service technologies.

The Chief Inspector added that, whenever specialized assistance is required, users can instantly connect via live video screen interfaces with a remote expert to resolve their cases efficiently.

Furthermore, he highlighted that smart surveillance cameras integrated throughout the station premises actively monitor the environment to provide automated support and ensure a secure, hazard-free experience for senior citizens and persons with disabilities.

In summary, he emphasized that this new system offers an exceptional opportunity for members of the public to file reports and access institutional services under conditions of absolute data security and confidentiality.

On his part, the Head of the Technology Expansion and Civic Engagement Department at the Ethiopian Federal Police, Inspector Alemu Tesema, observed that the national police force has evolved into a premier institution that perfectly harmonizes state-of-the-art technology with a highly competent workforce.

He noted that the deployment of this unmanned smart infrastructure is a structural component of the overarching drive to optimize and accelerate public service delivery through technology.

Since its operational inception, the station has empowered the public to securely submit investigative tips from any location at any time of day, thereby significantly boosting the aggregate effectiveness of proactive crime prevention, the Inspector concluded.