Law Enforcement "part of the way there" in improving IT

Sunday 17 July 2022

Bailiwick Law Enforcement has confirmed that it is “only part of the way there” in progressing changes needed in its IT infrastructure.

A report from Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Rescue Services in 2018 was highly critical of the Bailiwick Law Enforcement (BLE) infrastructure. Since the report, “a lot of effort” has been put into improvements, according to Chief Inspector Andrew Hockey.

In the States’ meeting on Wednesday [13 July], Deputy Yvonne Burford asked for an update from the Committee for Home Affairs as to whether necessary works to improve the IT systems had been undertaken, as identified in the former HMIC report. Deputy Burford reminded the Assembly "the report described the IT function of law enforcement in the bailiwick as the worst they had ever seen".

Pictured: A project due to be undertaken in autumn will involve a “whole re-cabling of the Police Headquarters”.

Committee President, Deputy Rob Prow, said the Committee was doing its “very best”. 

"I’d like to be able to stand here and say that all matters of IT with regard to police are in a good place, but I’m unable to do so,” he said. 

“I am afraid I have to report that the work on bringing the IT up to date, which was identified by HMIC as not in a good place, has taken longer. 

"The initial work around the platforms has been completed, but there is still a lot to do to put the IT in a manner that the operational services would like it to be. Having said that, this is not interfering with frontline services, and we are doing our very best to resolve these issues."  

Responding to an Express enquiry, Chief Inspector Hockey detailed the progress made so far. 

“A lot of effort has been put into preparing and stabilising the IT infrastructure for BLE which will give the platform for the more substantive operationally required improvements to be implemented in the future,” he said. 

“A number of workstreams are currently in place and BLE teams are working closely with the States of Guernsey IT provision to drive these forwards. One such project which will see enormous benefits for the organisation and its stakeholders will begin in early autumn.”

Pictured: Committee for Home Affairs President, Deputy Rob Prow.

Mr Hockey said that the project will involve a “whole re-cabling of the Police Headquarters”, which will enable a new telephony system, updraded and more energy-efficient lighting, a “better Wi-Fi provision” and allow for a Local Area Network to be built. 

This will provide us with a foundation for the introduction of Microsoft 365 in conjunction with a UK Home Office National Enabling Program which will give better connectivity and collaboration with UK Home Office forces,” he said. 

“Also, the roll out of modern hardware to individual staff which will allow them to work more effectively outside of police headquarters, thereby allowing for a more efficient and effective police service as a whole.

“While we are still only part of the way there from the HMIC report, we are confident these changes will improve the organisation’s IT outlook as a whole.”

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