The new national police IT strategy has received an unprecedented level of support from local forces, but police groups remain sceptical about the practicality of the plans.
The Information Systems Strategy for the Police Service (ISS4PS), published this month by the Association of Chief Police Officers (Acpo), includes a national technology platform to improve information sharing and cut costs.
But the ISS4PS goes even further in challenging local autonomy than previous attempts to develop national systems, which failed because the 42 independent forces could not agree.
Acpo says this time things are different. ‘This is not just our strategy – it has been agreed by all stakeholders and signed up to by all chief constables,’ said Ailsa Beaton, Acpo head of information management and chief information officer for London’s Metropolitan Police.
Two external factors also influence the plan. The Bichard Inquiry into the Soham murders raised awareness of the critical need for improved information sharing between forces. And the Treasury’s next Spending Review will require forces to cut costs.
But Police Federation chairman Jan Berry says progress for the strategy is far from guaranteed.
‘The issue is always about having integrated systems and we are keen for that to happen – but it is not unusual for expectations to be raised, only to be let down on numerous occasions,’ she said.
Superintendents’ Association chairman Rick Naylor says the plan is a good first step, but has a long way to go.
‘All we have so far is a strategy, and people warm to words on paper. But I won’t believe it until I see it in practice,’ he said.
Implementation will rest with the new National Policing Improvement Agency (NPIA), which takes over the existing Police IT Organisation when it comes into being in April.
With sufficient power, the NPIA could be the critical success factor, says Naylor. ‘What the police service has suffered from in the past is confusion. We stand more chance of success with the NPIA because there will be a single owner,’ he said.
But the extent of the NPIA’s mandate is still unresolved, says Ovum analyst Georgina O’Toole.
‘The practicalities of where the power lies are still up in the air,’ she said.
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