Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) – Launching a new way of working

Purpose
As part of the overall C3i programme, the MPS introduced new in-car computers (MDT) to its patrol vehicles. The communications needed to support the new way of working.

Approach
As each Borough was equipped with MDT in vehicles and control rooms, the officers were shown a specially commissioned film about the use of MDT. This featured officers who were already using and enjoying the benefits of MDT, people who had participated in the trials and an interview with Sir Ian Blair, then Deputy Commissioner, who was the senior sponsor of the programme. Officers using MDT were also given pocket help guides and the benefits were reinforced by a poster campaign, case studies and Q&As posted on the intranet.

Result
The transition to MDT went smoothly with three quarters of respondents saying that it was a useful tool which helped them to perform their job better. The research demonstrated that the officers were quickly adopting the MDT technology, realising its benefits and that overall radio traffic had reduced, freeing up the airwaves for critical information.