Service Police to be enhanced by digital overhaul
Military justice is to undergo a digital overhaul with current systems being replaced by modern software that will reduce delays, increase collaboration and identify criminal trends. The upgrade will benefit victims, investigators and wider policing services.
The Service Police – comprising the Royal Air Force Police, Royal Military Police and Royal Navy Police – in partnership with the Service Prosecuting Authority and Military Court Service, have signed a five-year, £8 million agreement with NEC Software Solutions for its Connect product to deliver an integrated IT system.
The system is currently used by 16 UK police forces and the expansion provides further evidence of how policing is adapting to a digital environment, streamlining of processes and efficiencies of service.
The upgrade offers future-proofing for growth and development. Configuration and deployment of the new software will commence immediately, with operational capability expected in early 2023.
The upgrade will:
- Create a single digital data source for the Service Police, Service Prosecution and Military Courts, improving information flows from the start of an investigation through to prosecution, hearing and sentencing;
- Significantly reduce workload burdens, reduce delays in data transfer and mitigate against errors, confusion, or ambiguity, adopting an ‘input once and use multiple times’ approach;
- Provide real-time statistical and data analytics of criminal patterns, trends, themes and identification of areas of concern, both inside and outside the military; and
- Enable creation of dedicated witness and victim management processes, to further improve the standard of care and service to victims.
Minister for Defence People and Veterans, Leo Docherty, said: “We have one of the fairest and most stringent justice systems in the world and it’s important we equip those in the Service Justice System with the latest technology and digital tools to streamline investigations and better support victims. By upgrading the IT platform throughout the military justice network, we will align better with civilian forces to collectively tackle criminal activity.”
The new computer system will cover policing investigation management, Service Police intelligence, case preparation, prosecution, court management and custody.
This will create single data source, enhance electronic ways of working, enabling collaboration across not just the Service Justice System but also alongside external policing and law enforcement agencies This will happen through secure network interfacing by providing connectivity to Home Office applications such as the Police National Computer.
Chief of Defence People, Lieutenant General Swift, said: “This is a positive step forward to a more collaborative, smoother and more compassionate justice system for our Armed Forces people, Service families and veterans around the world. Having a long-term contract for a modern digital system will also compliment the wider reforms taking place across the Service Justice System.”
