Police Scotland implementation and use of the technology

In order to invest in the use of technology as a strategic objective, the Authority approved the Mobile Working Phase 1 business case in August 2018.

Starting in the summer of 2019, Police Scotland began the roll out of the mobile devices to community and response Officers. By increasing efficiency, the project was funded to provide remote, live access to key policing information systems. This project was run under the larger ‘Digitally Enabled Policing Programme’ (DEPP) and supports the objectives in the Scottish Government’s Digital Strategy for Justice in Scotland. 10,809 mobile devices installed with an array of useful apps were deployed to operational officers as an outcome of Phase 1.

Phase 2 of the Mobile Working project was approved by the Authority Board in September 2020. Between June 2021 and June 2022, 3,633 Crime Investigation Division Officers and Forensic Services staff were given 5,892 mobile devices suitable for their specific operational roles. Applying lessons learned and recommendations from the Phase 1 external research, the full Mobile Working project training & rollout concluded in June 2022, successfully introducing mobile devices on a national basis.

The key objectives for the project included:

• For officers to have access to improved policing information in accordance with defined policy, enhancing informed decision-making.
• To continuously work with stakeholders, subject matter experts and partners to identify and prioritise deliverables ensuring maximum benefits are realised.
• Enable future development to meet the needs of an evolving police service.
• Development of back-end systems and reporting capabilities that will ensure full audit trails and reporting insights.
• Ensure that the activities and products of the project are ‘user-led'

Improved effectiveness and efficiency of policing were identified as key benefits of the Mobile Working project, alongside increased officer visibility, improved officer safety and a reduction in costs.

Ultimately, the overarching objective of mobile working is to ensure officers can spend more time in their local communities.