In the UK, a Short Data Application (SDA) developed for Greater Manchester Police’s (GMP’s) TETRA radios is enabling officers to record data in their ‘stop and search’ activities electronically. 

The application, developed by Sepura in close co-operation with GMP and its IT supplier Northgate, replaces the manual entry of stop and search data. It is expected not only to deliver savings in time and money, but also to improve the data quality, making it even more valuable for intelligence purposes.

Following the introduction of the 2010 Crime and Security Act, all police officers stopping and searching members of the public must record several key items of information: the reason for their having been stopped, the law under which they were stopped and their race, together with time, date and the officer’s identity. In addition, GMP has also decided to capture the outcome of each such encounter, recording whether the individuals are arrested, summonsed or given street warnings for their behaviour.

Traditionally, recording this information has involved extensive paperwork, lengthening each encounter and putting officers at greater risk – and this has led to mistakes either in capturing the data or, later, while entering it into the central database.

Sepura’s SDA solution involved developing a series of menu-based prompts which would allow GMP officers to record the details of any stop and search, using their radio at the scene. To ensure that the SDA was correctly coupled to GMP’s back-end IT system, Sepura worked closely with Northgate to integrate the data flows appropriately.

The SDA has now been proven during a six-month trial. “Feedback from the trial was extremely positive”, said Chief Inspector John Buttress. “The new system is easy to use, quick and efficient and helps to improves officer safety. Interestingly it also appears to have had a major effect on proportionality, reinforcing positive police/public relations.”

One operational officer who participated in the trial commented: “This system is by far the most efficient, simple to use, time-saving idea I have been involved in since joining the police nearly eight years ago.”

Several other UK forces are now evaluating the software.