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British policing is rapidly approaching the two-hundredth anniversary of the establishment of the Peelian
Principles. First set down in 1829 to underpin the model of “policing by consent”, they remain the standard
by which the force is recognised, admired – and judged - throughout the world. There are now 43 territorial
and 3 specialist forces serving England and Wales, together with national organisations in Scotland and
Northern Ireland working tirelessly to maintain order, tackle crime and keep the UK secure.
Today’s forces face a unique set of challenges, with shifting responsibilities, new priorities, and an ever-present need to support society within the restrictions of budget control. Furthermore, as society changes, so must policing, and fast. We’re living our lives increasingly online, and this has created a need for policing to become more digitally enabled.
In recognition of this, the National Policing Digital Strategy (1) outlined a broad range of aims and ambitions. Looking to the future, the strategy explores ways in which to harness new technologies to deliver a police service able to answer the questions being asked of it, such as:
- How can policing continue to provide an effective response to the changing needs of an evolving society?
- What part will technology play in beginning to address the crisis of confidence facing the police today?
- How can the force revolutionize itself to become a service for the 21st century?
In line with Government ambitions for the whole of the public sector, adopting digitalisation to join up core
services will create strong foundations for change.
Change that enables simpler, more effective collaboration empowers staff to make rapid and decisive decisions, whilst streamlining services to deliver further efficiencies and enhanced outcomes.
This whitepaper – the first in a series of four – will explore some of the benefits that new technology can unleash. It will look at barriers to change, and at ways in which they can be overcome. It will explore the latest
developments in ERP – Enterprise Resource Planning – demonstrating why now is the time for forces across the country to look again at how the deployment of ERP platforms can help drive organisational change, enabling optimal management of resources and unlocking efficiencies on a before unimaginable scale. The police service stands on the brink of change. By making the right digital choices, forces across the country can swiftly adapt to meet the changing nature of crime as society evolves. Streamlining operations at all levels, lifting administrative burdens, freeing up the frontline and ultimately reducing criminality through a force in which the public can be rightly confident.