Police and partners sign historic charter
Police leaders have reaffirmed their commitment to modernising the service and improving outcomes for victims.
Chief Constable Gavin Stephens, chair of the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC), and Police Chief Scientific Adviser Professor Paul Taylor, were among those who signed the pioneering UK Police Industry Charter during the Security and Policing Conference at Farnborough International exhibition and conference centre.
The agreement sets out five key principles for how industry and policing should work together and tackles issues such as transparency, ethics, and sustainability.
Leaders hope the Charter will promote greater collaboration and inspire innovation within policing.
Mr Stephens said: “Technology presents tremendous opportunities for policing, and we owe it to our communities to explore them.
“Policing must adapt and embrace technology or risk being left behind. New technology will help us tackle a broad range of crime, re-allocate officers and staff to the frontlines, and ultimately give the public a better service.
“But to do this, we must use the right tools effectively, ethically and with support from industry partners.
“By creating and fostering these mutually beneficial relationships, we are ensuring Forces will have access to the right suppliers, products and technical support, so they can deliver the excellent service the public deserves for generations to come.
“The Charter sets out clear foundational principles for these collaborative relationships and we look forward to seeing what the future brings.”
Professor Taylor added “The NPCC science and technology strategy recognises the essential contributions of industry to policing’s mission. For our partnerships to be effective, policing must be clear on what suppliers can expect from us and what we seek in return.
“The Police Industry Charter sets out five principles that policing commits to going forward. They reflect high level priorities that will shape the nature of our partnerships, be they with new innovators or global companies. As such, the Charter is a cornerstone in our wider efforts to make it easier for industry to contribute to public safety in the UK.”
Other signatories of the Charter include Sir Matthew Rycroft, Home Office Permanent Secretary, Dame Julie Kenny, chair of the UK’s Security and Resilience Industry Suppliers Community, Police and crime commissioner (PCC) Donna Jones, chair of the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners and Lianne Deeming, chief executive officer of BlueLight Commercial.
Ms Jones said: “PCCs are elected to oversee an effective and efficient police service in their areas. To achieve that in the 21st century, the sector must embrace the development and use of new technology to fight crime in all its forms at local and national levels.
“Criminals’ technological capabilities are evolving at high speed. Britain’s police need to be able to respond – not only to keep pace but to get ahead of those who wish to do harm.
“I am delighted to be a signatory to the Police Industry Charter. By promoting and supporting productive partnerships between industry and policing, we can together ensure forces have the technology and the skills required to tackle the policing challenges they face, keep the public safe and improve victims’ experiences of the criminal justice system.”
Ms Deeming explained: “The launch of the Charter is an exciting time, bringing policing and industry together in strategic partnership. We work closely with local and national suppliers of all sizes to blue light organisations, with relationships built on trust and collaboration ensuring the highest level of innovation and quality is delivered in the most commercially viable and sustainable way.
“The Charter is a voluntary commitment and is not a pre-requisite to working with policing. However, it will signal that suppliers are committed to working in partnership with policing and embracing the foundational principles.”