Boosting productivity in policing with technology and digital skills could provide the equivalent of 30,000 additional police officers and staff, freeing up around 60 million hours over five years, according to a recent review. This study, which wrapped up on September 30, 2024, was commissioned by the Home Office in the summer of 2022 to explore how UK police forces can enhance their effectiveness.
Alan Pughsley QPM, a former chief constable of Kent Police, led the review. He emphasized that improving productivity means delivering the best service with existing resources. The goal is simple: more officers on the street, faster responses to incidents, and thorough crime investigations, all of which translate into better outcomes for the public.
The review team engaged with officers across the country, examining their challenges and identifying successful practices worth expanding. Some might raise an eyebrow at the potential savings, but the suggestions are practical and rooted in real policing scenarios.
While the review has concluded, only the first phase, which identified productivity barriers, has been publicly shared. These barriers include tight budgets, a lack of digital skills, poor data management, and inconsistent resource pooling, all contributing to stalled innovation across the UK’s police forces.
Data issues came out as a major concern. The way data is captured and shared varies greatly among forces. There’s little consistency in definitions, which hampers the ability to link data effectively. However, the report also highlighted examples of how technology is already improving policing. In Bedfordshire, an AI tool for auto-redaction has cut processing time by 80%. Other forces like Dyfed-Powys, Leicestershire, and Sussex are using video calls for low-risk 999 incidents, while South Wales Police sees over 100 cases a month using retrospective facial recognition.
The review highlights that data and tech can help restore trust in policing. Yet, it warns that introducing technologies without engaging the public could further erode legitimacy. Low trust levels make it tough for officers to gather essential information, lengthening investigations and reducing overall productivity.
The report invokes the Peelian principle, which emphasizes policing by consent, urging forces to explain how and why they use technology. It calls for the Home Office to provide a framework for adopting new tools responsibly, noting that improper use can harm justice and public perception. The complexities surrounding the legal framework for tools like facial recognition must be clarified to avoid further erosion of trust, which hinges on effective communication and ethical considerations when deploying technology.
The review calls for overhauling digital skills, investment, and coordination to fully utilize the advantages that data and tech offer. Innovations aren’t being shared effectively, and many resource investments aren’t being tracked or assessed properly. This lack of evaluation leaves gaps that could undermine future funding and distort the value to citizens.
As technology evolves quickly, the review points out that legislation and guidelines often fall behind. The unclear legal landscape makes it tough for police to navigate and can raise concerns about legitimacy. Owen Sayers, an independent security consultant, disagrees, arguing that existing laws provide a solid foundation for policing technologies. He suggests that the challenge lies in police technology choices rather than legal limitations. He also flags issues with auto-redaction technologies, particularly their alignment with data protection laws, calling out the potential endorsement of illegal practices.
In response to the review’s findings, the government plans to establish a new Centre for Police Productivity by Autumn 2024, based at the College of Policing. This center will aim to help forces utilize data and technology effectively, including AI, to enhance efficiency while also delivering better outcomes for the public at a lower cost.