Police IT needs a joined-up approach

Hand held devices could save frontline officers 51 minutes a day

The police service needs a joined-up approach to technology if it is to improve efficiency, according to Sir Ronnie Flanagan's Review published today.

Lack of coordination in the introduction of IT over the past two decades has diluted the benefits and the National Police Improvement Agency (NPIA) should produce standards technology guidelines to help improve the situation, says the report.

"The nightmare scenario is that we invest heavily in technology and become even
more bureaucratic," it says.

A key recommendation is the introduction of mobile devices to cut paperwork and keep officers out on the beat. But such scheme will be disproportionately more expensive if procurement is not co-ordinated across the 43 independent forces.

"The service must act corporately in the implementation of mobile information solutions or we will waste millions of pounds on 43 different but similar IT solutions for operational processes which are all based on the same criminal law," says the report.

The estimated cost of equipping a police officer with a mobile device is estimated to be between £3,000 and £6,500 over 5 years, depending on efficient procurement.

Trials have highlighted tangible benefits from using handheld technology. One force is estimated to have saved 51 minutes a day for every frontline officer.

The joined-up approach must also be taken with regards to databases. Sir Ronnie's report estimates that up to 70 per cent of information is entered into police systems more than once because systems are not linked.

"Each force must take responsibility for overhauling the way existing
databases and systems interact," says the report.

Also recommended are the use of body worn cameras on officers to provide better evidence and the use of GPS systems to coordinate policing at high-profile events.