Words from the editors
I’m writing this exactly four years into my role as Chief Scientific Adviser. The landscape of S&T in policing has changed dramatically over that period. A new Coordination Committee, local-to-national governance, force leads, more force innovation programmes, and academic centres of excellence on the horizon. All changes for the better.
Yet it remains the case that there is brilliant innovation going on that you won’t have seen. There is brilliant innovation of which I’m unaware. That’s the nature of our federated system, sure, but it’s also opportunities missed. Policing Tomorrow is one effort to rectify this. In this edition, you will read about a diverse range of innovations and innovators. Some, I hope, for the first time.
You will read about advances in digital capabilities. From progress with Robotic Process Automation (p. 10), to aspirational examples, such as the Netherland’s AI lab (p. 2) and the insights it offers UK developments. Equally, you’ll find discussion of the Andi-Esra system, reflecting our commitment to accessible services. Originally a Police STAR Fund project, the Andi-Esra voice recognition system has radically changed the efficiency by which West Midlands Police can triage its 101 calls.
Upskilling and retaining our S&T workforce is a challenge, but essential to our ambitions. Over my four years, I’ve met many ‘single points of success,’ colleagues who are world-experts, delivering critical capability in their domain. As a taster for what I hope will be wider appreciation for our scientists, this issue contains an interview with Dr Lorna Dennison-Wilkins, the UK’s police search advisor for recovering missing persons in water.
Our work isn’t done. For readers, this edition should illustrate the progress policing is making and a taster of what is to come.
You may have noticed that this edition doesn’t have a theme. After much humming and hawing, the team concluded that the volume of activity taking place, driven by the numerous passionate individuals we wanted to showcase, couldn’t be constrained into a single topic. However, I feel this diversity is a testament to the interdisciplinary nature of police science, where the drive to protect every member of the public, in all contexts, brings together experts across a surprisingly large number of fields.
For a glimpse into the range of work taking place, see page 8 where for the first time, we have published the outcomes of the Police STAR fund. This is a fund we run for forces to test innovative projects and try new things. We hope to continue publishing our outputs in future editions, to build awareness of projects we are investing in. Over the years, it’s been encouraging to see many new technologies in policing emerge from the Police STAR Fund. A prime example is Project Odyssey on page 4, which is revolutionizing the way digital evidence is collected from victims of rape and sexual violence.
There has been a considerable focus on digital public contact in policing over the last few years, and a desire for policing to be easily contactable. Like with many other sectors, policing is leveraging technology to make themselves more accessible.
Page 14 covers an insight into the types of technology available for forces, with a great discussion on how digital contact should be used for the benefit of all of society - not just the tech savvy.
Finally, one of the most captivating features in this edition is the exploration of police uniforms. This piece takes you on a journey from their origins in the 1820s to futuristic designs projected for the next 50 years. For those of us who haven’t experienced a day in uniform—whether it’s worn while chasing down suspects, sitting in an office or patrol car, or handling violent confrontations— it is a realisation of how much uniform matters, from their functionality to what they represent for both officers and the public.
Thank you to all those who contributed to this edition of the magazine. With a special thanks to Orla O’Neill, Benjamin Waldmann, Anne Clarke and Russell Stearman from
Four Communications.
