[C]umbria’s Police and Crime Commissioner Peter McCall has announced that work is underway to modernise Cumbria Constabulary’s Command and Control system. The system is set to be implemented by spring 2019.
Defence and security company Saab have signed a ten-year contract that will provide the force with a next generation Command, Control and Communication solution. Cumbria are the fourth UK police force to adopt Saab’s SAFE system, which is funded by the Cumbria Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner. The new system will replace several systems currently used with a single software application, and bring many improvements and benefits to the public. These include:
- Integration of numerous programmes already in use resulting in a reduction of repetitive keying – delivering a quicker response for the public.
- The single application means information supplied by the public is more secure.
- Greater public contact methods including social media for people to engage with police.
- Superior live-time reporting allows for resources to be deployed effectively and increases visibility.
- Improved situational awareness by effective capturing and sharing of information to officers on the ground.
- Enhanced data that will improve intelligence available for officers.
Cumbria’s Police and Crime Commissioner Peter McCall said: “This new unified and intuitive command and control centre should be a real improvement for policing in the county. The existing systems have limited capacity for development, whereas this new system is very much geared to modern-day policing.
“The new system will bring many public benefits, not least that it will provide an enhanced range of options for the public to engage with the Police, including social media. This is something I am very keen to see implemented, as we know that during periods of high demand response times for non-emergencies can be slower than desired. We believe that this can be overcome by offering more choice, and I know from my contact with the public, that this would be very much welcomed.
“Overall, the new system promises improved levels of efficiency in many areas of policing, and I look forward to seeing it go live next spring.”
Temporary Chief Constable Michelle Skeer, Cumbria Constabulary, said: “We are excited to be working with Saab on a new end-to-end system, that will support operational policing across the county.
“The current systems have served us well but there is a need to update in order to meet future requirements to policing and the technology that supports the frontline.
“There are numerous benefits of using a single application including officers being able to complete tasks without needing to replicate across numerous different systems.
“We anticipate that this development will further support the Constabulary in delivering a better service to the public and keep people safe.”
The contract with Saab is £8m over ten years, and was agreed as part of the Police and Crime Commissioner’s ICT Strategy. This SAFE system provides improved functionality at a similar annual cost to maintenance and upgrading of current systems.
