Best use of police technology recognised at major awards

Leaders who have driven technological change across the service were also recognised at the landmark NPCC Innovation and Digital summit in Liverpool, with Essex Police scooping two awards.

The three-day conference, which is organised by the Police Digital Service, is the most significant event in the police technology calendar, with around 800 people from policing, public sector and industry partners due to attend.

Chief Constable Rob Carden, NPCC lead for digital data and technology, said: “Innovation and harnessing new technology should be the absolute bedrock for improving policing and building trust and confidence in our service.

“Liverpool is a city built on energy, innovation and entrepreneurship, and I am so pleased to see this same spirit run through everything that we have seen showcased at this conference.

“The work we have recognised at these awards, as well as the dozens of other projects that were nominated, demonstrate the considerable ingenuity and initiative I see across policing every day.”

Chief Constable Jeremy Vaughan, NPCC lead for science and innovation, added: “Our award winners embody the very best of policing and I would like to congratulate all of them for their work, innovation and dedication.

“Police reform has been a key theme at this conference – and this can only happen by recognising our people, promoting their excellence and evolving our service into one that embraces new technology to deliver the very best outcomes for our communities and our workforce.

“There is brilliant work happening across policing, and it is our responsibility as leaders to ensure we identify this innovation and ensure it has the maximum impact across every part of the country.”

Announced on Tuesday night, the winning projects were:

Collaboration in the furthering of Digital, Data, Science and Technology 

Winner: Essex Police

(Digital Multi Agency Approach to Fraud Innovation)

The Essex Digital Multi-Agency Approach to Fraud (MAAF), launched in 2024, is a pioneering digital collaboration model designed to transform how fraud is tackled across agencies. Developed in response to fragmented and unsustainable legacy systems, MAAF unites policing, local authorities, trading standards, victim services and community partners through a secure, scalable Microsoft 365-based platform.

MAAF is structured around six core workstreams; data, communications, victim care, learning and development, enforcement, and cyber crime, coordinated through formal governance and real-time information sharing. The platform enables rapid referrals, tailored victim support, and proactive fraud prevention, reducing re-victimisation by 95 per cent.

By using existing digital products, MAAF saved an estimated £100,000 in development costs and £25,000 annually in staffing, with no cost to partner agencies. Public engagement campaigns have reached over 500,000 residents, and accredited training has upskilled professionals across the agencies involved.

Recognised by HMICFRS as good practice, MAAF is now being piloted by another force and has been shared with regional and national partners.

Excellence in Productivity & Value for Money 

Winner: Metropolitan Police Service

(Building a Generative AI Freedom of Information Tool)

The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) built an AI solution to help it manage its growing volume of freedom of information requests. The new tool developed by Capgemini working alongside the MPS’s internal data science team exceeded all expectations: the time taken to process each FoI request has dropped by around 59 per cent, with a particular marked drop in the time to process more complex requests.

Innovation in Embedding Science, Technology, or Digital Solutions to Front Line Policing 

Winner: South Wales Police

(Creation & Implementation of Operator Initiated Facial Recognition in Frontline Policing)

South Wales Police continues to pioneer the use of facial recognition technology and has made significant strides in using facial recognition in more reactive situations to identify particular suspects in real time. Significant consultation and partnership working went in to the training, development and launch for its operator initiated facial recognition programme, which has so far helped officers identify offenders who refused to disclose their details or provided false information. This included a man found to have an outstanding European arrest warrant for 12 years for drugs supply and assaulting a police officer overseas, who was identified from a 13-year-old photo.

Excellence in Training, Talent & Development in Digital, Data, Science & Technology

Winner: Devon & Cornwall Police

(Police Major Incident Training)

Devon and Cornwall Police worked to deliver an innovative virtual reality training package on major incidents for police commanders. Officers who have undertaken the course have reported significantly higher levels of confidence to manage major incidents, while the training is now being rolled out by other forces in England and Wales as well as overseas.

Excellence in Cyber Security 

Winner: Cheshire Constabulary

(IT Security Team – Securing Active Directory)

Cheshire Constabulary identified a weakness with access to its active directory system and used its existing relationships with partners to run a red team exercise to fully identify the system’s vulnerabilities. It used the results of this exercise to take steps to mitigate the risks which was tested in a second red team exercise, which found the system to be more resilient. Some of the learning from this exercise is now being rolled out across all forces.

Enabling Diversity & Inclusion in Science & Technology 

Winner: Thames Valley Police & Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary

(Creation of Women in Technology Initiative)

The forces’ joint ICT department set up a ‘Women in Technology’ group in the department, led by Claire Finn, to increase representation and leadership opportunities. Extensive engagement work by the group, such as securing external speakers for talks, training and development as well as mentoring, has helped increase female representation in the ICT department from 15 per cent to 26 per cent, just above the industry standard, including better representation in management positions.

Digital Data, Science and Technology Ambassador 

Winner: PC Fintan Foley – Essex Police

PC Fintan Foley has been a relentless champion for driving the uptake of technology solutions and innovation in his force and beyond. He has been instrumental in pioneering the use of body worn cameras and a live-streaming platform within Essex Police, improving not only officer safety and operational efficiency but also laying the groundwork for national adoption. From integrating body work video into motorcycle units and firearms dogs to developing cost-effective 3D-printed mounts and portable public order kits, PC Foley has consistently demonstrated a forward-thinking approach that maximises existing resources while delivering high-impact results.

Excellence in Science & Technology Leadership 

Winner: Hitesh Lad – West Yorkshire Police

Hitesh has given more than 30 years of support to West Yorkshire Police as field and user support manager. He is a real unsung hero for the force, widely respected by colleagues in his delivery of critical services for frontline officers and support staff across the force as well as a host of law enforcement partners.

Excellence in Science & Technology Leadership 

Winner: ACO Dougie Henderson – Greater Manchester Police

Through ACO Dougie Henderson’s leadership, Greater Manchester Police is now successfully embracing new technology and seeing results. There has been a shift in thinking and culture across GMP, from using refreshed technology, improved platforms and bringing services back in-house to boost the local economy. ACO Henderson has been a champion of the force’s ‘think out of the box’ mentality, attracting multiple suppliers and systems to obtain the best technology, as well as talent from the local area and in industry.

Failing Forward 

Winner: Hertfordshire Constabulary – Nicholas Redfearn

The police chief scientific adviser Paul Taylor recognises this award as part of efforts to drive a culture of innovation in policing where forces are not afraid to try new things. Hertfordshire Constabulary was this year recognised for their efforts to introduce an AI writing tool to assist with things like transcription, statements and case files.