Reducing Bureaucracy and Information Communications Technology

Key Issues - Reducing paperwork and bureaucracy to make better use of resources - New technology required to support frontline policing, and improve investigations

Police are currently preparing the next information and communications technology strategic plan and the Minister's input will be sought. The police information technology position has been considerably strengthened over the past four years, as more modern infrastructure and new applications have been put in place. However, there is still much to do in providing the most effective ICT platform for NZ Police for the 21st Century. A key focus in the next ICT plan will be on opportunities that leverage off the solid infrastructure, increasing the mobility at the frontline and speed of police work, and reducing paperwork wherever possible.

Police has evaluated some of the most useful technology available, such as mobile data terminals to make it easier for staff to access information, automated vehicle number-plate recognition, fingerprint live scanning to increase the speed of prisoner identifications, and improved case management. The focus of technology investment on the frontline recognises the importance of ensuring the staff who work with the public most frequently have the most appropriate tools to do their jobs professionally. Police will need to discuss funding implications for new technology.

Pro-active police work based on intelligence and analysis has seen improved results in targeted crime areas such as burglary and vehicle theft. New Zealand Police is acknowledged to be at the forefront of utilising crime analysis methods, and our scientific approach to crime and harm reduction has been applied to reducing high-volume crimes, targeting youth crime and identifying families at risk. This is an area of success, and we intend to develop our information and analysis base to make further inroads in crime and harm reduction (for example, through our enhanced analysis of alcohol-related offence information).

A particular topic for discussion is the national police radio network and associated frequency and bandwidth issues. These have multi-agency impacts and are critical to long-term law enforcement and emergency management capability and safety.

The independent review of police communications centres has a number of recommendations that are being implemented, including planning for a single non-emergency number to assist delineation of priority calls for police service from general service requests. Police recognise that the service quality for all calls must be appropriate in all cases, and include mechanisms to support sound decision making on the appropriate priority and nature of response for each call.

Over the next 3 - 12 months the Minister will be invited to:

• provide input into development of police's next information and communications technology strategic plan;
• support capital budget proposals for new technology for frontline staff, (budget implications are not yet fully developed, but are likely to be significant);
• receive briefings on the implementation of the findings of the communication centre review, in particular the access and communications strategy and single non-emergency number proposal;
• receive briefings on the implementation of key projects within police's information and communication technology strategic plan (and if interested, be provided with a demonstration of police technology); and
• advance discussion with fellow Ministers over secure radio options, radio frequencies and bandwidth for emergency services.