What evidence is there to assure citizens?

Researchers from Robert Gordon University (RGU) and Abertay University were appointed to evaluate the implementation and impact of the national roll-out of mobile working. The findings of the research were largely positive. The research team identified long-term potential benefits in five main areas. These benefits are presented on the next page.

Productivity - Mobile devices improved the efficiency of policing and increased capacity for officers, allowing more time for proactive policing.

Information - Mobile devices improved access to information, information accuracy and the speed at which information could be accessed. Additionally, mobile working increased officers’ ability for further information sharing, and improved data security (compared to traditional paper notepads).

Connectivity and Communication - Connectivity and real time communication allowed teams to collaborate better. The devices also gave opportunity for better external communications with partners, whilst increasing visibility of police work to the public.

Officer Wellbeing and Safety - The devices contributed to better overall officer wellbeing and morale, and mobile device functionality improved officer safety and autonomy when working. During COVID-19 lockdowns, the devices also allowed for social distancing and access to up-to-date health information.

Technology and Culture Change - Devices have a defining role in both officers’ attitudes to technology, and also the public attitude towards a technologically enabled police force. Furthermore, mobile working was found to foster positive attitudes to technology in the organisation going forward, with less reliance on control rooms and station facilities, enabling new working practices and collaboration. Overall it was noted that mobile working also improved relationships across the organisation.

Within the first 12-months of initial mobile device deployment, Police Scotland reported that increased functionality and ability to conduct tasks whilst on the go saved officers a total of 444,496 hours. Following the completion of the project this figure has grown to 756,576 hours.

In reality, this means that due to the efficiency savings brought about by mobile devices, more officer time was made available to focus on tasks such as community policing.

In September 2019 a Scottish Government ‘Technology Assurance Framework Healthcheck Review’ was conducted in relation to Phase 1 of the project and assigned it a ‘Green’ status - a grading which is rarely achieved within the public sector. The report noted;

“The lessons of many similar initiatives demonstrate that the position found at Police Scotland’s Mobile Working project to be exemplary and that such a situation requires a blend of best practice in the areas of management capability, quality of resources, team working and governance. The Review Team wish to recognise the quality of the approach and delivery of the Project Team and emphasise that such a level of commendation is not typical of an independent assurance review”.