Controversial part of new £27m police computer system is to be scrapped

Chief Constable Stephen Watson

The Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police has confirmed that part of their new £27m computer system is to be abandoned after feedback from staff.

Whilst two-thirds of the iOPS (Integrated Operational Policing System) has been implemented without major incident, the 'PoliceWorks' section has been a disaster, according to staff who use the system.

The PoliceWorks software was used by officers in their day-to-day activities, but many staff had complained that failures in the system posed a threat to officers and the public.

Many said they were unable to log in to the system, and once inside were unable to retrieve essential information.

The iOPS was implemented in July 2019, overseen by then Chief Constable Ian Hopkins.

His successor, Stephen Watson, had promised to review the system, and has now confirmed that PoliceWorks is to be abandoned.  
CC Watson said it was clear that "underlying issues" were "undermining our professional performance".

He continued: "It was clear from listening to staff feedback, independent assessment commissioned by the Mayor and HMICFRS, that PoliceWorks was not meeting our requirements, and was hindering our ability to fulfil essential policing tasks. In addition, the contract for the system was signed in 2016 and is due for renewal in June 2023, so we have reached a favourable time to consider change.

"Following a lengthy review process involving a technical appraisal and a rigorously evaluated options appraisal, I am confident that we have reviewed every option available to us. I have concluded that, while two-thirds of the original iOPs system is working effectively, PoliceWorks cannot be adapted or fixed to fully meet the needs of our organisation. We therefore intend to move away from the PoliceWorks system and to replace it with a tried and tested product already in use by other forces, rather than the development of bespoke technology."

The Chief Constable said the decision marks and important step for a "resurgent GMP".

He concluded: "I strongly believe the move will provide a lasting benefit to the public, victims and our employees and, based on an assessment of the current market, is likely to be more cost-effective than remaining with PoliceWorks."

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