Crime agency speeds up operation permission process

The Scottish Crime and Drug Enforcement Agency (SCDEA) is taking on a document management system to replace its paper-based processes.

Tasked with detecting and preventing serious and organised crime in Scotland, the agency wants to improve its business efficiency and streamline processes such as requests to begin covert surveillance.

SCDEA detective chief inspector Gillian MacDonald says processes for all the agency's law enforcement has previously been handled on paper.

'We felt there would be significant time-saving benefits in moving towards an electronic way of working,' she said.

The system is being supplied by ABM, a specialist in law enforcement software.

It will allow applications from all SCDEA's offices to be sent to the approving officer within seconds, eliminating the need to move around hard copies, MacDonald says.

'This will significantly reduce the time it takes to process applications. All records will also be stored and managed electronically, creating an easily searchable database, drawing attention to duplicate requests for information and cutting down on input errors,' she said.

'The management information gained from the system will be invaluable in allowing the agency to further evaluate and improve its processes.'

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