Derbyshire Constabulary’s management team are firm believers in the edict that effective public protection relies on information management services which help the police engage with the public and build trust through enhancing processes and promoting business change.
With this very much in mind, over the past year the force (which serves a region of over 1,000 square miles, and a population approaching one million) has used its innovative partnership with Northgate Public Services to successfully deliver additional protection and support for vulnerable people, while at the same time streamlining its information provision and standardising procedures.
Northgate’s task is to enhance public value through the intelligent use of people and technology, and to share in the economic and social benefits that this brings. Founded in 1969, the company now has nearly 8,000 employees.
In the UK, Northgate Public Services works with four out of every five local authorities and every police force, in turn supporting public service transformation through sustainable performance partnerships.
System for reporting police performance
Northgate’s technology is used in the administration of more than GB pound 12 billion of revenues and benefits, in the management of over 40% of local authority social care records and in electoral administration systems covering 18 million people. The technology also supports the national system for reporting police performance.
In a move which ensured compliance with the Management of Police Information (MOPI) guidelines, the Derbyshire Constabulary has extended its work with Northgate to transform the management of public protection information by adopting the Guardian system.
Guardian provides for the efficient collection, recording, evaluation, sharing, reviewing, storage and disposal of information. It encompasses the management of intelligence, crime and disorder, public protection, arrest and case and custody. It affords police officers a single, interlinked view of information from a number of key policing business areas. Information is managed flexibly around police processes to meet the requirements of individual forces, as well as national standards.
In practice, Guardian allows the recording and management of reports and referrals on such matters as hate crimes, child and domestic abuse and issues relating to vulnerable adults.
Activity directed to where and when it’s needed
Derbyshire Constabulary has benefited from enhanced and strengthened risk assessment through the improved collection, linkage and evaluation of information on vulnerable individuals and their known associates, and the fact that the system proactively supports timely intervention (directing activity where and when it is needed).
The benefits now being realised by Derbyshire Constabulary include:
– specialist teams and partner agencies being provided with accurate, joined-up information – a single view of an individual or a household (and their involvement with the police service) leads to better management of risk, and supports proactive intervention
– enhanced communications with Neighbourhood Policing Teams (enabling them to be more aware of what’s happening in their areas, and helping them to evaluate current situations and required actions)
– increased visibility of victims and repeat offenders
– greater security for frontline officers, who can be warned of dangerous people in their area and of those situations where sensitivity is paramount
– improved performance information to support the requirement of the Derbyshire Constabulary and its partners for enhanced visibility and accountability
Driving home its commitment to public protection, the Force has recruited an additional 50 officers and extra staff to manage its public protection campaign, and at the same time address the ever-present needs of high risk public protection areas.
Four public protection teams have been established (one in each division). These multi-skilled officers can use Guardian to help them deliver victim-led and offender-focused strategies, designed to reduce the risk of harm and serious crime through preventative action.
Minimising risk, promoting engagement
Commenting on these latest developments, Derbyshire Constabulary’s assistant chief constable Peter Goodman told SMT Online: “We are wholly committed to providing a high-quality policing service to everyone in Derbyshire. Our investment in public protection systems and people is critical to this. By minimising risk and promoting public engagement, we are reducing the serious crime that destroys the lives of individuals and costs the police millions of pounds to investigate.”
Goodman went on to state: “Our incremental partnership with Northgate is helping us in our battle to fight crime. That collaboration is built upon a joint commitment to promote transformation in our operations and business processes, and to build police services which place the needs of communities at their heart.”
In response, Ian Blackhurst – managing director of public safety at Northgate Public Services – added: “We’re delighted that our work with Derbyshire Police is helping to achieve the service transformation public services need to rebuild public trust. Information is at the heart of effective, proactive and preventative policing, and it’s people that are key to delivering it.”
Blackhurst concluded: “Our services have been designed to ensure that the police service is fully engaged in their development. They are led by the day-to-day operational requirements of public safety organisations.”
