Accelerated In Vehicle Mobile Application Improvements

This decision seeks approval for further deployments of Tethered In Vehicle Mobile Application (IVMA) devices across the fleet. No new procurement routes or processes required as the IVMA installation is via the existing contract with Babcocks and procurement of IVMA tablets via the CDW framework.

The Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime is recommended to approve Capital spend of £1,482,400 in 2021/22 for fleet-wide accelerated deployment of Tethered In Vehicle Mobile Application (IVMA) fully funded from the MOPAC Approved Digital Policing (DP) Capital Budget.

1. Introduction and background

1.1. MPS are committed to taking action in response to feedback made through the staff survey. Over the past 2 years, satisfaction with Met technology has increased significantly across both operational and support business groups. Each year Digital Policing analyses the Met-wide feedback about technology. In May 2021, a welfare-focused survey was undertaken and a small reduction in satisfaction with technology was recorded. Closer analysis has found that much of this dissatisfaction stems from local management decisions for device eligibility during the Pandemic and availability of technology rather than dissatisfaction with the functionality itself.

1.2. It is critically important that staff and officers understand that Management Board takes the survey seriously and that participating is worthwhile. Building that confidence leads to higher levels of participation and in turns provides richer feedback. To support this, DP intends to respond to the feedback and address some of the key concerns arising.

2. Issues for consideration

2.1. DP analyse every staff survey to understand what MPS officers and staff tell us about technology. DP are determined to respond and issue communications to that effect through the DMC.

2.2. These activities address the core findings from MPS survey respondents that related to technology and assist in ‘levelling up’ technology provision across the MPS.

2.3. These activities do not overlap, compromise, or impact upon any other ongoing major technology programmes.

2.4. These activities cannot be completed before the next staff survey due to supplier lead times, but communications will be issued to officers to inform them that action is being taken.

2.5. Senior leadership in the affected B/OCUs are supportive of this business case.

3. Financial Comments

3.1. The Capital cost of £1,482.4k in 2021/22 for fleet-wide accelerated deployment of Tethered IVMA is fully funded from the MOPAC Approved Digital Policing (DP) Capital Budget.

4. Legal Comments

4.1. The MOPAC Scheme of Delegation and Consent provides the Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime (“DMPC”) has delegated authority to approve business cases for revenue or capital expenditure of £500,000 and above (paragraph 4.8).

4.2. There are no specific legal issues arising from this paper, and the recommendation can be lawfully approved. The funds required to complete the purchase will come from the approved Digital Policing budget.

5. Commercial Issues

5.1. IVMA installation is via the existing contract with Babcocks and procurement of IVMA tablets via the CDW framework. Using CDW provides best value for money because the build is undertaken in-house so there is no need for service from the Pegasus suppliers and the MPS can avoid their mark-up.

6. GDPR and Data Privacy

6.1. The MPS is subject to the requirements and conditions placed on it as a 'State' body to comply with the European Convention of Human Rights and the Data Protection Act (DPA) 2018. Both legislative requirements place an obligation on the MPS to process personal data fairly and lawfully in order to safeguard the rights and freedoms of individuals.

6.2. Under Article 35 of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and Section 57 of the DPA 2018, Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIA) become mandatory for organisations with technologies and processes that are likely to result in a high risk to the rights of the data subjects.

6.3. The Information Assurance and Information Rights units within MPS will be consulted at all stages to ensure the project meets its compliance requirements.

6.4. A DPIA has been completed for this project The project will ensure a privacy by design approach, which will allow the MPS to find and fix problems at the early stages of any project, ensuring compliance with GDPR. DPIAs support the accountability principle, as they will ensure the MPS complies with the requirements of GDPR and they demonstrate that appropriate measures have been taken to ensure compliance.

7. Equality Comments

7.1. As this is an extension of an existing service this work does not change any aspects relating to equality or diversity.

8. Background/supporting papers

8.1. Report.