Image source: Police Digital Service
The Police Digital Service (PDS) has set up a procurement framework for automated text redaction tools for police forces.
The award notice shows four companies have been awarded places – Aiimi, Simpson Associates Information Services, TeraDact Acquisitions and The London Data Company – and that the four-year contract could be worth up to £10 million.
PDS said the tools have been approved by the National Police Chiefs’ Council and will free up time for officers and staff by making it possible to manage text redaction more effectively. It also expects the tools to improve how police forces and criminal justice partners package case material for courts.
The creation of the framework derives from a recommendation in the Policing Productivity Review to make redaction tools available across policing.
Easing the burden
Chief Constable Tim de Meyer of Surrey Police commented: “The PDS Redaction Tool Framework represents a significant step towards easing the redaction burden in policing.
“Forces can be confident they will be choosing from a selection of text redaction tools that have capacity to deliver considerable time savings and best meet policing needs. With recouped time and resources, we can focus on delivering swifter criminal justice outcomes and a more timely and improved service to victims of crime.”
PDS CEO Ian Bell said: “I am proud that our team have been able to deliver solutions to support police forces to reduce the amount of time it takes them to deal with redaction by up to 80%, and it means that victims will receive better support and experience from investigators during a traumatic time.
“Our mission is to deliver outstanding value, innovative solutions that meet evolving needs of policing.”
