No space-age technology in £300m Police Scotland upgrade, MSPs told

A proposed £298 million digital, data and IT upgrade at Police Scotland will not introduce “space-age” technology but just the basics officers need, MSPs have heard.

Senior figures at Police Scotland and its oversight body the Scottish Police Authority (SPA) were questioned about the plans by a Holyrood committee after concerns were raised by a union representing police staff.

The outline business case for the upgrade, which is forecast to generate an economic benefit of £357 million over nine years, was approved by the SPA at a board meeting last week.

In a submission to the Justice Sub-Committee on Policing, Unison said it backs plans to improve technology to join up IT systems and provide the “right kit for the officers and staff to get their job done properly”.

The union added: “We do, however, have concerns that there is a tendency in Police Scotland to fetishise the cutting edge of technology at the expense of the systems which should enable the organisation to function.

“We need investment and a strategy for improvement which does not prioritise drones or retinal ID tech at the expense of getting the basic ICT infrastructure right.”

Giving evidence to the committee on Thursday, Police Scotland acting ICT director Martin Low said he did not know what could have prompted the fetishiation claim.

He said there had been discussion about retinal systems, such as iris-scanners, but no projects are in place and while the force has drones they are currently being tested and are not operational.

He said: “This is not about technology that is not proven and space-age solutions. It is about fundamental and basic technology for front-line operational policing.”

SPA interim chief officer Kenneth Hogg said the current level of functionality is “not acceptable in policing” and they are currently operating with 20th century technology.

He warned of far-reaching consequences if the capital budget is not increased from the current level of £23 million.

He said: “For an organisation spending £1.1 billion and for an organisation of the character of policing, which does use equipment and cars, I do think there is a particular issue about the size of the capital budget.

“£23 million is almost a disproportionately small capital budget for a public service of this type and this size and almost irrespective of what we do with digital, data, ICT, I would be very grateful if the subcommittee would consider that point in making representations about the policing budget because it does have far more systemic consequences, impact on revenue for example.”

Committee convener John Finnie assured him this would be reflected in representations to Government.