Research partnerships
Finding hi-tech solutions for a modern police force
Clients
Leicestershire Constabulary
Expertise
Department of Information Science
Experts in Information Science at Loughborough have worked with Leicestershire Police to help develop the Constabulary’s mobile technology network.
The police force approached the University hoping to find hi-tech solutions which would speed up its paperwork processes. It wanted to ensure officers stayed out and about in communities, instead of being forced back to the station to complete paperwork.
Senior officers knew that emerging mobile technologies could make a significant difference to the way the force operated in future. But they needed a detailed, scientifically gathered analysis of the needs of the force, as well as the technologies available to them, in order to make informed choices about the best way forward.
Extensive research had been undertaken at Loughborough into workplace communication, and Drs Tom Jackson and Louise Cooke were tasked with finding a sustainable, working solution for the Constabulary.
Dr Jackson said: “We were involved in the selection of, and modelling the acceptance of, Mobile Data Terminals (MDTs), which are connected to docking stations in the police vehicles. They enable officers to remotely access the same desktop systems they find in the police station. This opens up a much more flexible way to work and manages the time they spend in the community much more efficiently.”
The MDT project has now been fully rolled out across the Force. Inspector Tony Price, of Leicestershire Constabulary’s Mobile Information Team, said: “MDTs have enabled us to reduce bureaucracy, increase the availability of intelligence, and increase the visibility of police officers.”
Impact
- Mobile technology devices could save the average police force £800,000 a year. Full set-up costs are just £440,000
- Leicestershire Constabulary now has 730 police officers and 293 sergeants using the MDTs
- A 15.2 per cent increase in officer visibility; reduced vehicle mileage and service costs and an increase of 600 per cent in agreed appointments
- The time it takes to make a crime report available to another officer has reduced from three days to just 11 minutes
- So far 15 other police forces have visited Leicestershire to see the MDTs in action