Devon and Cornwall Police saves on IT infrastructure and support services
Devon and Cornwall Police has signed a five-year contract with BT that will allow it to better adapt to new technology, while also focusing on cost efficiency and collaborative working.
Devon and Cornwall Police has signed a five-year contract with BT that will allow it to better adapt to new technology, while also focusing on cost efficiency and collaborative working.
BT will provide the force with IT infrastructure and support services, with the option to extend the contract to nine years.
The agreement, commencing from April next year, will see BT replacing Capita as the forces IT service provider in a drive for improved cost efficiencies.
Chief Constable Shaun Sawyer said the contract will not only give stability and focus to the forces IT provision and support going forward, but will also allow it to make considerable savings, helping to reduce and better control support costs.
We want to enhance the 24-hour support given to IT systems across the spectrum of our needs and give a more robust support to police officers and staff. My hope is that with partners such as BT on board this will help us better use technology and innovation to more effectively police our communities, he said.
Mr Sawyer added: We have had a long and positive relationship with Capita and will continue to develop specific IT products with them. Looking forward, the force is exploring ways to collaborate with other organisations in both the public and private sectors.
This contract will allow us to develop the ongoing strategic alliance project with Dorset Police and further exploit savings and opportunities to work together more closely.
There is no doubt our relationship with BT is at an early stage, but my hope is that communities will see a genuine improvement in the service Devon and Cornwall Police can provide with a first class IT support provider.
Ian Dalton, BT Global Services president of Global Government and Health, said Devon and Cornwall Police, like many police forces up and down the country, was looking to deliver more effective policing while reducing cost.
He said BT will connect the force to the most up-to-date technology, sharing its expertise to help it provide the best IT services and support to police officers and staff.