Police services around the world are making use of digital technologies to combat crime, and the South African Police Service (SAPS) must take a leaf out of that book if the war against crime in the country is to be won.
So says Tim Godwin, managing director of Accenture Police Services, and retired London Metropolitan Police Service deputy commissioner.
Police minister Nkosinathi Nhleko also recently identified technology as vital in the fight against crime in SA.
The latest crime statistics from SAPS, released in September, show offences like murder, robbery and truck hijacking are on the rise. SA is also reportedly losing billions of rands due to cyber crime.
Notable technologies SAPS is currently making use of include text messaging for tip-offs, as well as biometric technologies for identification purposes. According to a recent strategic plan compiled by the SAPS, the Justice Crime Prevention and Security Cluster aims to improve efficiency by integrating existing intra-departmental IT systems.
Among the targets listed in the plan are a single, co-ordinated management of continuum of criminal justice and performance; a system to be developed to ensure records and data on corruption crimes across the criminal justice system (CJS); and developing databases of victims, convictions and sentences across the CJS.
Godwin believes, to fight crime, digital policing could be implemented in SA. "Digital policing is the use of data and enabling technologies to make use of Web-based services. The aim is for the [police] force to become better informed through real-time intelligence to the officer on the frontline; real-time forensics; real-time situational awareness; and real-time case-building," he says.
"The speed and reality will ensure better data collection and, as a result, enhanced analytics to enable predictive policing opportunities and evidence-based decisions for practitioners and policy-makers alike," he adds.
SAPS can also deploy integrated crime and intelligence systems to share information between agencies to enable a rich intelligence picture that enables effective analysis to predict risk.
"They should also utilise shared citizen Web portals for accessing services and engaging with the police; mobility; video analytics; and digital justice with virtual courts, to start with."
As examples, Godwin says Sindapore as well as the New York Police Department are pursuing video analytics. New Zealand has made major investments in mobile devices and apps for the police, he elaborates.
The UK and Netherlands are also making use of telepresence or video conferencing for their justice delivery system, says Gordon.
He believes, for the success of digital policing projects, there need to be partnerships between the private and public sector.
"It will require robust partnerships with the private sector and, from my experience as a senior police officer, all too often with such major change programmes, the risk sits with the police. The private sector now needs to share that risk, focusing on deliverable outcomes and not just service or product provision such that the partnership between the police and the private sector company is a real one with the emphasis being on the delivery of outcomes."
He notes such strategic partnerships are essential if SAPS is to deliver real change and better outcomes for citizens together.
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