Digital technology

The innovative work of police forces in using digital technology to help modernise their operations was highlighted at a special College of Policing conference.

The event, organised in partnership with National Policing Business Lead for Information Management, Chief Constable Simon Parr, and the Home Office, brought together police forces and police and crime commissioners to share good practice around exploiting new technology to deliver efficient front line policing.

It also provided an opportunity for police forces to collaborate on digital projects and foster support networks.

Some of the projects featured at the conference included:

• Cambridge Constabulary’s Prog ramme Metis, which is transforming the way it works by developing new technology that could be used in the future by any force in the country;

• Hampshire Police’s use of electronic witness statements and body-worn video cameras; and

• GPS technology being piloted by South Wales Police, which provides their officers with briefings and tasks specifically to the location they are working in. College Chief Executive, Chief Constable Alex Marshall, said: “Police are using digital technology in innovative ways to help their frontline officers tackle crime and anti-social behaviour, and provide a better service to the public.

“The College will provide valuable support by helping to find out what is working well in one force and share the evidence so that other forces can make the best choices about the technological changes needed to reduce crime in their area.”

The College is also in the early stages of developing a national police app store that will enable police officers and police staff to use apps on their mobile devices as part of their work. It is also developing national mobile knowledge apps in the form of digital aide memoirs.

The conference supports the Government’s Digital Pathfinders Initiative, which is encouraging police forces to adopt digital solutions as part of their modernisation.

Chief Constable Simon Parr said: “Through Programme Metis we are developing new technology which will enable us to make a wholesale change to the way we police our county. “Whilst the use of technology will help us to reduce our budgets, it’s my belief that it will also provide the public with a more flexible service that is responsive to their needs. Many of the solutions will give the public self-service options that will allow them to interact with us in a way that is most convenient for them. For example by booking appointments, paying fines, submitting intelligence and tracking crimes on our website. “My aim is that the new innovations we are creating could be applied to any police force across the country.”