C3I/Airwave position report

Report: 10
Date: 9 December 2003
By: Commissioner

Summary

The paper provides a summary of progress on the C3i/Airwave Programme. The Programme is broadly on track for full implementation by the end of March 2006.

A. Recommendations

That the Authority

1. Notes the content of this report and endorse the following:
   1. the progress made to date
   2. the revised implementation approach
   3. the need for close alignment with the Territorial Policing Modernising Operations initiative.

B. Supporting information

Background

1. Following the MPA-endorsed decision not to proceed with the PFI procurement for C3i in Quarter 1 2001, an in-house project was established to deliver the required C3i solution. A business case was developed defining the scope of the C3i solution and establishing the required funding.

2. In the autumn of 2002, the Home Office along with the Office of Government Commerce (OGC) and Partnerships UK Ltd. (PUK) accepted that it would be more appropriate for the C3i project to be incorporated into a broader programme of activities. This was to encompass the original C3i concept, Airwave, and other associated enabling technologies that would be provisioned through the Directorate of Information (DoI). A formal C3i Programme Business Case was prepared to reflect the Programme and an operational Police Commander was appointed to oversee the interface between C3i and operational policing.

3. In parallel the Deputy Commissioner, as Senior Responsible Officer, identified that he needed an independent organisation to assure him of the programme status, progress and direction; Impact Plus was appointed to undertake this role. In conjunction with this, a new full time C3i programme director was appointed on 19 December 2002.

4. An initial review conducted by the Programme Director and Impact Plus indicated that a number of issues needed to be urgently addressed for the Programme to function effectively. All the issues have now been addressed although work continues on a number of them.

Progress to date

5. The programme structure is working well and substantial progress has been made on all fronts. The Group Director for the Information Programme within DoI has assumed the role of Senior Technical Supplier for all the ICT projects delivering into the C3i Programme. A consistent approach has been taken to programme assurance within both organisations.

6. The governance structure has enabled a number of key issues that were impeding the progress of C3i to be effectively resolved. The Strategy Group, chaired by the Deputy Commissioner, now concentrates on forward planning rather than historical review: for example the initial implementation of the Integrated Borough Operations Room (part of Modernising Operations) is now within C3i governance.

7. From April 2004 the OCU delivering the 999 and non-emergency service will be known internally as Metcall. This will allow us to differentiate between the C3i Programme and the operation of the eventual service. It should be noted that the name Metcall will not be used when communicating with the public.

8. The programme now comprises a series of service improvements, known as releases. Each release enhances the function and facility available leading to the start of the transition to the new Metcall service on ‘Ready Day’ in October 2004. These releases are, in chronological order:

• Towards Directed Despatch – which includes Duties Planning Phase 1 and the provision of Mobile Data terminals into 2000 of the liveried fleet vehicles.
• Improving Call Handling – which includes Frequently Asked Questions, a Translation Service, an internal Interactive Voice Response service and an improved directory service.
• Preparing Boroughs for Metcall – which focuses on the setting up of the Integrated Borough Operations
• Delivery of Ready Day functionality – which comprises the final operational elements in the Metcall Centres.

9. The first major release from the programme has already been implemented, a new Central Casualty Bureau based in Henderson House at Hendon. This release was achieved six days ahead of schedule on 10 October 2003 and was officially opened by ACSO David Veness with Mrs. Catherine Wood, whose husband was a victim of the Ladbroke Grove train crash. There followed positive media coverage with a news feature on ‘London Tonight’.

10. The Airwave radio system was conditionally accepted as Ready For Service on 1 October 2003. The enhanced fall back proposed by O2 is currently not to a standard required by the MPS and fallback will therefore be provided by ntl. The MPS have stated they intend to move to the national backup service when it is of a sufficient quality and provides value for money. A separate project has been set up by the Home Office and PITO to develop urgently a solution for interconnection with the London Underground.

11. All three C3i buildings are due for completion in spring 2004. A programme review has shown that there is a high probability of some small delays as a result of essential changes and contractor performance due to the extremely tight time scales. Mitigation through accelerated project work is currently being considered.

12. The main C3i technology components have either been delivered or remain on schedule.

13. A full programme of training needs has been prepared and submitted to the Training Management Board; this programme has been given the highest priority within the MPS. MDT training has started and is a combination of classroom based work and Computer Based Training. So far, this approach is seen not only to be appropriate but highly successful.

14. An extensive and comprehensive communications programme has been initiated for C3i and Metcall. A number of initiatives have already been implemented, examples of which include the Vision and Journey brochure which was sent to senior officers of the MPS, MPA members and to the Home Office; a video on the implementation of the Metcall service; and a series of “Meet Metcall” events, which attracted 80% of all MPS communications staff. In the near term, a new publication entitled “Towards the Future” will be issued to all MPS staff and focuses on the impact on them of the C3i Programme, the Metcall service and the Territorial Policing Modernising Operations initiative.

15. The latest reports from PUK, IMPACT Plus and the OGC Gateway Review on the governance and progress of the C3i programme are showing significant evidence of improved programme control and management.

C. Equality and diversity implications

Full account continues to be taken of the requirements for equality and diversity. Language Line is being implemented as a part of the Improving Call Handling release, this is to assist non-English speaking callers.

D. Financial implications

The total forecast expenditure for the C3i programme comprising C3i, Airwave, MDT, MetDuties Phase 1 and C3i Business Change remains within the approved budgets of £200m capital and £57m revenue. These sums are being funded by a combination of Home Office capital and revenue grants and MPS approved and allocated capital and revenue funding.

E. Background papers

None

F. Contact details

Report author: Mike Aston, C3i Programme Director, MPS.

For more information contact:

MPA general: 020 7202 0202
Media enquiries: 020 7202 0217/18

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