PDS CEO Ian Bell has ceased to be a director of the company following the arrest of two employees on charges of fraud, bribery, and misconduct in public office. The Companies House filing from 16 July 2024 confirms Bell’s departure as director on 11 July, but provides no further details. PDS, responsible for the National Police Digital Strategy, has not responded to requests for comment. The Home Office, which funds PDS, is aware of the situation and supports the organization’s actions to address the allegations.
In response to the arrests, PDS announced plans for an employee misconduct review and a review of its operations. The suspects remain on bail as the City of London Police continues its investigation. Allegations of malpractice were reported to the NPCC and APCC earlier this year, leading to the criminal investigation.
The postponement of the Police Digital Summit 2024 has raised concerns about the impact on PDS’s work. Board members, including representatives from the Home Office and various policing agencies, are working to reschedule the event for 2025. Amidst calls for reform of PDS, independent security consultant Owen Sayers suggests that the recent government change may prompt changes in how PDS operates, especially regarding its governance and data protection practices.