More needs to be done to ensure that the law enforcement sector catches up with other public services on new technologies, the Policing and Criminal Justice Minister has insisted. In a keynote address to the Modernising Justice conference in central London, Damian Green said policing and the wider criminal justice system were not up-to-scratch in this crucial area. He highlighted that developments such as body worn video and tablet devices could massively reduce police paperwork and save time – and help join up the evidence chain with other agencies. Mr Green (pictured) told delegates at the event in Westminster: “There has not always been a clear focus on the way information flows between organisations. Investment in technology has lagged behind that of other public services, let alone the private sector.” He predicted that new technologies could see up to 4.5 million hours of officers’ time saved across all forces each year – a figure he said was equivalent to 2,100 officers on the beat. Mr Green, who said that wants to see a “digital police system” by 2016, emphasised: “My ambition is for each force to be able to interact seamlessly with the rest of the criminal justice system. “Work is already underway to enable officers to record evidence digitally while out on the beat with the ability to then upload this evidence through to digital storage, which the criminal justice system can draw from.” He highlighted an example of good practice in Hampshire Constabulary –where digital devices had given officers a “full desktop experience” while out on the beat. Mr Green said: “They have found they can demonstrate a 26 per cent reduction in time spent by officers in stations and a 20 per cent reduction in mileage covered by patrol vehicles because, essentially, they are only going where they are needed,” he added. Mr Green said officers with Surrey Constabulary had also used new mobile devices to create criminal justice cases digitally while away from their desks – and that use of body worn video in Scotland was having a “beneficial impact” in driving up guilty pleas. Read the story at the Police Oracle website:
Posted on: Mon, 30 Jun 2014 07:53:14 +0000
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