Technology bugging police, survey says

POLICE have lost confidence in their outdated computer equipment – the Evening Star can reveal today.

Information technology is crucial in delivering a service, and Suffolk police Authority admits that hardly anything affects service more than IT.

But a new review shows that some of the police's IT systems are stretched to the limit, and staff say they are feeling the strain.

A survey of Suffolk police officers revealed they felt local IT equipment sometimes does not meet current needs.

It added: "The initial view of staff perception regarding IT in the constabulary would not appear to be a particularly confident view. The internal staff survey results appear to substantiate this finding.

"There is a growing concern among specialist staff that areas of IT in the constabulary are operating at full capacity.

"Informed opinion passed on during this review, expressed concern that the constabulary was at risk of ineffective IT service delivery, in areas of the network, workstation hardware, day-to-day support to IT users, and staffing resources devoted to IT in the constabulary."

Sixty per cent respondents felt more resources should be devoted to IT, and most people did not have much confidence in the systems they used.

Only 14pc thought the police force was innovative in developing IT, and 11pc thought it was creative with IT.

A spokesman for Suffolk police said they were not aware of any day-to-day problems.

"All areas of the day to day business are subject to a best value review, to make sure they provide an efficient and effective service to the public," he said.

"This review of IT is one of a series designed to continually improve the way we work, and finding out staff opinions helps devise an action plan.

"It is a positive process for change, and to do that it has to be rigorous."

Weblink: www.suffolkpolice.uk