Technology vendors offer advice in response to police reform strategy

IT vendors are advising the government to undertake its police IT plans with caution and to consider previous project disasters.

As part of the government’s police reform strategy, the Home Secretary recently announced a new project that will streamline police IT systems making them more compatible.

“Police IT leaders need to tread carefully,” said Jim Close, Software AG vice president, adding “Ripping out existing technology and replacing it with shiny new equipment simply doesn’t work—just look at the NHS’ IT disasters or the £2bn wasted on government IT projects in the last seven years.”

The new project was announced by the Home Secretary, Jacqui Smith, after Sir Ronnie Flanagan presented the final report of his review of policing he undertook as part of the government’s police reform strategy.

Flanagan’s report focussed on the need for better risk management to reduce crime, advising the government to concentrate reform on strengthening systems and structures and improving performance.

Specific recommendations he made in the technology area were for the current receipt based system for stop and search to be enhanced once new technology is developed, and for more mobile data technology to be brought in.

Close welcomed the government’s recognition of the Police’s inherent technology problems. “43 police services have developed their own IT infrastructures, and whilst these work locally, they simply do not exchange information seamlessly for effective national policing,” he said.

But Close said the modernisation programme needs to be gradual and should not throw away the investment already made in technology. “Decades of intelligence and proven practice reside in these disparate infrastructures,” said Close, adding “Re-use of technology assets and non-disruptive integration between systems will enable our police service to revitalise its IT systems efficiently.”