Urban patrol officer, Jiang Yifan, became an Internet sensation after he bought a Google Glass as a supplemental tool for his work. The 27-year-old officer used his own money to buy the device for gathering evidence while patrolling the streets of Jiangsu province.

Assigned as a chengguan, or an urban patrol officer, in Changzhou, Jiang said the Glass could help reduce tension between street vendors and chengguans during enforcement of government orders. This is because the device is less obvious compared to conventional recording tools.

Like Us on Facebook

Google Glass is a wearable device that works like a computer. It has a head-mounted display that allows the user to access information in a hands-free method.

After Jiang posted his photo wearing the Glass on Sunday, he soon became a trending online topic.

Jiang bought the Glass in April on the Chinese e-commerce site Taobao.com for US $2,085 (CNY 13,000). He initially purchased the device for his personal use. Later on, he realized that it could be an effective tool for recording the chengguans' daily patrol and collecting evidence at work. Although he only used the Glass for a trial period, he said the chengguan authorities lauded his action.

The tasks of urban patrol officers in China include enforcing bylaws and maintaining urban areas. At times, chengguans have made news for being involved in bloody and violent conflicts that resulted from resistance to authorities.

Jiang wants to use Google Glass to create a short movie showing the good image of urban patrol officers. He aims to show the public the good contribution of chengguans to the environment.

Wang Hui, a professor teaching urban management at the Capital University of Economics and Business, said authorities should reward Jiang because he was able to improve his work as a chengguan using his own resources. Experts as well said Jiang deserves praise for his effort to uplift the image of chengguan officers.