| 4 Information Technology and Communications |
| 4.1 The 1997 primary inspection recommended
that consideration should be given to the best means of ensuring that the Communications
Services Department's strategy reflects other key force strategies. HMIC learned that the
IT & Communications Department strategy reflects the annual force goals and targets,
where appropriate, and is set out within the annual Strategy Report. Prior to the
preparation of the 1998 report in April, the IT manager visited divisional commanders to
seek views on current issues and future strategy, and this aided the ongoing consultation
with divisions and departments through user group meetings. Indeed, from the force's draft
Corporate Strategy and Planning Framework it was clear that the Policy Group looks for
firm evidence that the department is, each year, aligning its planning processes with
force goals and priorities. |
| 4.2 HMIC observed that IT continued to be
under-resourced, both in staffing levels and in revenue and capital funding. Research
carried out during 1997 by the Force Inspectorate and the head of Communications and IT,
in respect of the disparity of IT funding between Strathclyde Police and other members in
the 'family of forces' (British forces of a similar size to Strathclyde Police), showed
the force to have half the number of IT staff of comparable forces. Total revenue and
capital expenditure on IT (excluding telecommunications) was around one third of the level
found in the same family of forces over the last 5 years. |
| 4.3 The overall capital allocation for
Strathclyde Police for 1998/99 is £6.25m, significantly down from the 1997/98 allocation
and far below the £16.35m figure requested by the force. Through the revenue budget, the
force has been able to maintain the IT and radio communications capital budget at £2.34m,
roughly similar to 1997/98. In addition, funding has been found for the appointment of an
additional 11 IT staff during 1998/99 and this is a very significant investment although
it still leaves the force without the necessary additional capital funding recommended in
the 1997 Primary Inspection Report. |
| 4.4 Against this background it is not
difficult to understand some of the criticism which officers expressed about the lack of
integration of the intelligence and crime applications across divisional boundaries. HMIC
was impressed with the progress that has been made but foresees difficulties for the
force caused by divisional restructuring and the need to realign computing resources to
the new system, although the force is seeking to minimise these through a phased
programme. Whilst the additional staffing will help the situation in 1998/99, the
underlying financial resource issues, which relate to the purchase of equipment, remain to
be addressed. |
| 4.5 Monthly meetings held between the force's
Computer Services Manager and representatives from the force training centre serve to
communicate both short and long-term issues which affect the efficient and effective
delivery of information technology training force-wide. The meetings provide a forum
for discussion on the development of computer applications and subsequent training issues.
HMIC considers this good practice and learned that it has eliminated concerns expressed
during the last primary inspection. |
| 4.6 The communications process is further
helped by the active participation of information technology instructors, at the force
training centre, in steering committees and development groups for current and planned
computer applications. This process ensures that the training in current applications is
up to date and that the development of new systems takes training issues into account. |
| 4.7 Training in data protection has been
examined, prompted by the introduction of the force Security Policy and a security
inspection undertaken by the force Inspectorate. The force training centre has advised on
the appropriateness of data protection inputs given to local and national courses. Data
protection staff have arranged to visit all divisions and departments to discuss with
senior management and relevant personnel the aims and objectives of the data protection
section, including its day to day work. |
| 4.8 The force utilises PRINCE (Projects in
Controlled Environments) project management methodology for the individual introduction
for new IT projects. The Primary Inspection Report observed that no formal training in IT
project management had been provided, but such training was being sought for all
development staff. HMIC welcomes the fact that the department will be sending staff on
PRINCE 2 courses at the Scottish Police College. |
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