Our work to support Criminal Justice Transformation

We are working to support policing with a range of technology-enabled services to tackle the challenges faced by forces and the Criminal Justice System (CJS). As the Senior Responsible Owner (SRO), I am proud of our work and the progress that we are making together with our colleagues in policing to bring benefits for them and enable better integration with key partners, such as the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and HM Courts and Tribunal Services (HMCTS).

At the Police Digital Service (PDS) we have been working at pace and are making considerable progress:

• Several important initiatives to develop new digital forensics and digital evidence capabilities for policing are underway. Working in partnership with the NPCC portfolios for Adult Sexual Offences, Digital Forensics (DF) and technology suppliers, we are developing a range of services for critical capabilities like selective extraction from mobile devices, automated analysis of data for investigators, and redaction tools. We are building on the work of Transforming Forensics (TF) to get the new digital fingerprint service live and co-ordinating provision of more investment to enhance mobile DF capabilities to guarantee the 24-hour support required by rape victim devices.
• Through Digital Case File (DCF), the case files system of the future will no longer require lots of form filling. Recently, forces have been learning more and getting the chance to glimpse how this project will positively impact their daily operations. The development of the Niche Records Management System (RMS) version is now progressing well, and early releases of the application have already shown the benefit to front-line officers and staff. You can follow recent developments in our DCF briefing.
• Last, but by no means least, our Video Enabled Policing programme has progressed the development of two new digital solutions to support the PACE interview process and enable witness care units to streamline court warning, minimising wasted time for officers and staff. These tools will be coming to our model implementation (early adopter) forces shortly.

As a team, we look forward to the next steps on the journey to transform the CJS. We hope policing, our criminal justice partners and the public will soon reap the benefits of our collective investments and efforts.

Tony Blaker QPM

Senior Responsible Owner, Criminal Justice Transformation Programmes