Page 2199 - Week 06 - Thursday, 6 June 2019
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It was disturbing to learn about incidents where first responders had been the specific targets of offenders. This is to be abhorred and we need to protect those who work in our front-line roles to keep them safe.
While many of the insights provided were confidential, they nonetheless have been valuable when considering the territory’s level of preparedness and its response capabilities. What I can say is that the London Fire Brigade have adopted the joint emergency services interoperability principles, JESIP, which is to be commended. Our own services, including various services within the ESA umbrella and ACT Policing, already work closely together using similar principles and are committed to strong operational relationships that best protect our community.
Our mission also enabled the delegation to gain insights from four leading police forces in the UK: Police Scotland, the London Metropolitan Police, the City of London Police and the West Midlands Police. I am very grateful to the senior members of each jurisdiction who made time to sit down with us and discuss their reform strategies. This included discussions with the recently appointed Deputy Chief Constable of Police Scotland, the Chief Executive of Community Justice Scotland, the Chief Digital Officer of London Metropolitan Police, the Assistant Commissioner of the City of London Police, the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner and the Deputy Chief Constable of West Midlands Police. These meetings not only provided comprehensive insights into the reforms each service was taking but also allowed us advance collaboration and knowledge sharing with each jurisdiction.
Both the West Midlands Police and the London Metropolitan Police have a focus on technology and the role it can play in supporting modern policing. Members may recall that technology improvement is something ACT Policing has begun and that was supported by the government through last year’s budget. While the rollout of new technology can sometimes receive a mixed reaction when first implemented, both forces reported an overall positive impact on policing.
Amongst the many advantages presented were the benefits around improving the quality of life for their members. We were told of members being able to more easily complete their reports at the end of the shift and go home on time, rather than having to stay back at work and complete them. Technology can also help to empower police and help increase community confidence and trust. For example, the implementation of body-worn cameras provides a reassurance and an extra safeguard that police exercise their powers appropriately and only apply force where needed. This gives the community greater confidence, particularly more vulnerable members of the community.
It is clear that technology has a positive role to play in the future of any modern police service model. And this was a key lesson from each of the forces we met. Each was also looking at ways to improve community engagement through new portals and innovative uses of technology to better explain the work modern police undertake to support citizens’ needs.
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