Consultation on e-policing initiatives

Report: 10
Date: 18 March 2004
By: Commissioner

Summary

This report outlines the proposed MPS approach to engaging in consultation with the public regarding delivery of citizen focussed electronic services.

A. Recommendation

That members endorse the MPS approach to consultation on e-policing issues.

B. Supporting information

1. In March 1999, the Government White Paper ‘Modernising Government’ was released. Amongst other recommendations, it announced ‘A new target of all dealings with government being deliverable electronically by 2008’. In 2000, the Central IT Unit of the Cabinet Office published “e-Government: a strategic framework for public services in the information age”. This effectively brought the target forward to 2005.

2. Whilst some services are already available electronically, the MPS has reflected the need for extending electronic service delivery in our corporate objectives. The MPS has also produced an e-strategy that was endorsed by the MPA Finance Committee in June 2003.

3. The intention is to provide services that the citizen wishes to use, in ways which people want. The MPS will therefore need to consult to ensure that it uses the e-strategy as a vehicle for identifying and prioritising a balanced range of citizen focussed services that attract high levels of take-up, in a programme that will allow for development of new e-initiatives up to and beyond 2005.

4. The MPS will engage in consultation with the public, the business sector and other partners with a view to identifying key services, which will provide best value to the citizen and the MPS.

5. From earlier discussions between the Director of Information and the Chair of the MPA Consultation Committee, the MPS understands that only existing consultation routes are to be used for e-policing, and only as part of a wider consultation process. This will maximise benefits from existing consultation processes and to minimise the risk of creating expectations that may not be readily fulfilled.

6. A list containing examples of current and potential e-policing initiatives is attached at Appendix 1. An overview of the consultation processes that have been considered and progressed is given at Appendix 2.

7. The consultation process, and the MPS response to it, will not be constrained by the 2005 Agenda, but will inform long-term decision making in respect of electronic service delivery.

8. This paper is to inform the MPA Consultation Committee of the intention to include e-policing related questions in the annual public attitude survey, involving face-to-face consultation with Londoners; and of the MPS intention to explore other channels in parallel.

C. Equality and diversity implications

1. In seeking to extend the range of electronic services, the MPS will continue to promote social inclusion in the access and delivery of police services. E-policing initiatives will provide additional channels for delivery of services, rather than replacing existing services.

2. The development of e-Policing initiatives supports the MPS implementation of the Modernising Government agenda, providing opportunities to extend availability of services to citizens with disabilities and those whose first language is not English.

3. The intention is to provide e-solutions which will deliver new opportunities for access to MPS services for those members of the community who fall into certain ‘hard to reach’ groups, and who would wish to use electronic service delivery options.

4. To this end, the MPS will continue to engage with the GLA, London Connects and other groups who can provide additional infrastructure options, support and advice in the use of e-policing initiatives to extend availability of police services to citizens, including hard to reach groups.

D. Financial implications

The current consultation, using the Public Attitude Survey, is delivered from the existing budget. This provides for the cost of the raw data, which is subsequently analysed in-house. Any further consultation will need to be costed and necessary funding identified before work commences.

E. Background papers

None.

F. Contact details

Report author: Richard Jackson, Directorate of Information, MPS.

For more information contact:

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

Appendix 1

Current and potential e-policing initiatives

Response management;

• Metcall – fully supported command and control environment
• On-Line Incident Reporting
• On Line interactive FAQs including legal, procedural and general advice
• On-Line updates re developing incidents (e.g. major incidents or on-going local issues such as traffic diversions)
• E-mail / SMS updates / advice to subscribers
• Fast time information re serious incidents to subscribers
• E-mail / SMS witness tracing activity using subscribers or targeted groups
• Fast time electronic communications with London Ambulance (Command and Control)
• Fast time communication with other emergency response agencies
• Multi-force sharing of resources to respond to peak demands (e.g. CASWEB)

Despatch to charge;

• Electronic bail ‘tagging’ options
• Case progress for person charged (solicitors, etc)
• Information access / exchange for legal advisors and other relevant professionals (e.g. medical experts)
• Electronic disclosure of evidence

Criminal Justice;

• Case Progress on-line
• Electronic links between MPS and Crown Prosecution Service
• Electronic links between MPS and individual courts
• Witness info and liaison options
• Effective electronic communication links with partner agencies within the CJ sector (e.g. CJ OnLine)
• Victim advice and liaison options
• Case preparation activity
• Multi agency monitoring of victims / offenders (e.g. IRT)

Crime management;

• On Line reporting of minor crimes
• Crime reporting (extend range to all crimes, including major crime, hate crime, cybercrime etc.)
• On Line Intelligence gathering
• SMS intelligence gathering
• Crime prevention information / advice
• Specialist advice (Counter Terrorism, cybercrime, fraud, etc.)

Pro-active initiatives (supporting decisions on disposition of police resources);

• Incident update
• Intelligence gathering options (NIM etc)
• Info dissemination (e.g. re upcoming events, crime prevention etc.)
• Discussion forums
• Transactional services on website
• Availability of electronic input facilities (e.g. crime reporting) in front offices at police stations.
• Multi Agency information sharing data warehouses (e.g. Newham Borough initiative [Neighbourhood Information Management System]; Drugs initiative, Barking & Dagenham, etc.)
• Information sources directed at community / faith groups, young people, etc, through website.
• On-Line ‘games’ which promote discussion about police procedures and responsibilities;
• Advice re local issues (e.g. anti social behaviour, crime hot spots, etc.)
• Information sources (Publishing scheme, etc.)
• Information output directed at community / faith groups, young people, etc, through website.
• Development of outbound e-mail / SMS information regarding policing initiatives and enquiries.
• Development of kiosk / electronic information points in public spaces
• Development of e-Watch forums for business, neighbourhood and other local groups
• Highlighting ‘good news’ in the community through electronic info sharing
• Use of e-technologies to promote involvement with community groups (e.g. the Karrot bus)

Back office;

• Extending electronic information exchange with strategic and local partners (e.g. Local Authorities)
• Development of website functionality
• Development of electronic information sources (website, DTV, etc.)
• Development of multi channel info receipt / despatch options.
• Payment of fees
• Payment of fines
• On-Line Advice
• ‘Front desk’ activities, e.g. extended use of transactional forms to reduce need for ‘queuing at a front counter’.
• On line completion and processing of corporate forms with ‘progress tracking’ facilities (e.g. Licensing, firearms)
• Multi-language presentation of on-screen forms and information
• Development of initiatives to promote disability access to police services
• Development of initiatives to promote access to information and services with GLA priority groups
• Property lost and found reporting / searching functionality
• Stolen property notification / search functionality
• Media / communications links to ensure timely and accurate info dissemination
• Link with Government and other trusted databases to support Immigration, Probation and other relevant services.
• Shared briefing information for front line staff in multi-agency environments
• Regular ‘updates’ on model of Downing Street / Cabinet Office daily / weekly briefings to subscribers
• Use of large size electronic public information displays / reassurance messages in public spaces including police station front offices, stations, shopping centres
• Use of telephony to circulate prepared messages to subscribers (e.g. Voice Connects, RBKC)
• Multi agency shared management of local issues (e.g. abandoned vehicles, fly-tipping, etc.)

Management information;

• On-line local (Borough) management info
• On-line MPS management info
• Crime stats
• Performance stats
• Crime and Disorder audits on Borough level
• Supply of Crime and Disorder and other required info to Government Departments

Appendix 2

Consultation processes

This Annex outlines the directions that have been given to the MPS, and provides an overview of the consultation processes which have been considered and progressed by the MPS to support e-policing activities.

Directions regarding consultation

Following earlier discussions between the Director of Information and the Chair of the MPA Consultation Committee, the MPS understands that in the approach to consultation on e-initiatives:

• only existing consultation routes are to be used,
• existing routes should only be used for e-policing as part of a wider consultation exercise on other issues.

This will maximise benefits from existing consultation processes and minimise the risk of creating expectations that may not be readily fulfilled.

Public Attitude Survey

The project has provided a series of questions that will be incorporated in the Public Attitude Survey, Spring 2004. The purpose of these questions is to identify the view of respondents to making use of electronic services in three key areas:

• Obtaining information from the police service;
• Providing information to the police service; and
• Conducting transactional business with the MPS.

Results of this survey will be available during August 2004.

London Civic Forum

London Civic Forum (LCF) undertakes consultation on behalf of public sector organisations using focus groups. This organisation provides opportunities for contacting hard to reach groups as defined by the GLA, and options for developing shared consultation initiatives are being explored.

London First

London First undertakes consultation on behalf of the business sector in London, using a range of consultation media and processes. Options of working with London First to develop consultation with the business sector are being explored through the Director of Safety and the Public Realm at London First.

London Chamber of Commerce & Industry

The London Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) represent and provide opportunities for consultation with a large number of businesses across London. Options for working with the LCCI to pursue consultation on e-policing with their members are being explored.

MPS On-line debate

The MPS will conduct an On Line debate during the second quarter of 2004, following the successful use of this process in 2003. It is the view of the MPS that this option will not provide a suitable medium for consultation on the e-policing issue.

Operation Opal

Operation Opal is an MPS consultation initiative, which supports the Step Change programme. This exercise is undertaken on a local (Ward) basis, and is primarily targeting issues relating to effective police deployment. This consultation process is already underway, and there is no scope for inserting additional questions at this stage.

GLA and ALG

The MPS is exploring opportunities to identify existing consultation mechanisms operated by the GLA and ALG which may provide a basis for consultation on e-policing issues.

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