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MetMDT - realising the benefits
The Metropolitan Police Service has implemented in-car Mobile Data Terminal technology.This study looks at the real time benefits...
The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) has a world class reputation and has a unique place in the history of policing. Founded by Sir Robert Peel in 1829,the original establishment of 1,000 officers policed a seven-mile radius from Charing Cross and a population of less than 2 million.
Today,the MPS employs 31,141 officers,13,661 police staff,414 traffic wardens and 2,106 Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs), and, since the realignment of police boundaries in April 2000,it covers an area of 620 square miles and a population of 7.2million.
Technological advances
The implementation of in-car Mobile Data Terminal (MDT) technology has been a key technological advance for the MPS and part of its provision of 21st century policing to the people of London.
Mobile Patrol Officers now have live access to information that was only previously available through the Control Rooms or back at the station – making additional information available for Officers and the Control Room improves officer safety and makes resource management more effective.
Through the MDT system, Control Room staff have access to precise response vehicle location, which provides improved information on Patrol Officer availability and resources to respond to incidents, ensuring that the right unit is deployed to the right place at the right time.
Officers now have direct remote access in their response vehicles to the Police National Computer (PNC), Computer Aided Despatch (CAD) messages,in-car mapping,Quick Address for address checks and a text messaging service and Patrol Supervisory functions giving Patrol Supervisors additional capacity to manage their response resources.
Access to these services has freed up radio airtime and released latent demand,especially for PNC.
MDT together with the Global Positioning Systems (GPS) mapping software,allows Control Room despatchers to view and interact with response resources.
Data transmitted by MDT is encrypted to provide extra security for MPS information.
The project has been complex - working with five core suppliers to deliver the solution:
Arqiva provide the in-field maintenance services, second line repair facilities and an overarching one-stop-shop helpdesk to users.
Microbus supply the MDT hardware – the in-car computer and screens – fitted in the response cars/vehicle units by MacNeillies.
BT Transcomm (now known as BT redcare)were contracted by the MPS to provide the MDT software application used in the vehicles and control rooms and to provide the mission-critical packet switched, wireless data network used to enable the GPS and other applications available to the Patrol Officers in their vehicles.This is an interim arrangement initiated by PITO until the Airwave Data facilities are fully in place.APD Communications were contracted by
Transcomm to be the software provider for the MDT application and the mapping software.
Unisys produced a specific XML application(CDI)to interface with the MPS’s Command & Control systems.
Business Change
The project has also involved considerable business change activity, engaging staff and encouraging new working practices. This project was managed by the MPS Directorate of Information.
MDT has now been rolled out to over 1,500 vehicle response units across the Met’s 32 Boroughs – one of the largest roll outs of mobile data solution across Europe.
"The new service is benefiting the people of London and police officers alike," says Cmdr Bob Broadhurst (Patrol), "These new in-car computers are another step in delivering 21st Century policing by ensuring we can assign the most appropriate police officers to an incident and that they are primed with the necessary information to manage and resolve situations.MDTs allow us to focus on delivering the best service to our citizens by using our resources more effectively to make London a safer city."
Functionality
MDT provides the following functionality to the MPS:
Automatic Vehicle Location system (AVLS)through on-board GPS.This tracks the vehicle in real time providing accurate location information both to the officers in the vehicle and despatchers in the Command and Control environment.
A record is created in the MDT database at regular intervals giving a status feed to the Command and Control system – and the Control Room and Supervisors real-time information on current incidents.
The record contains data on:
vehicle location
time vehicle is at the location
direction of travel (when moving)
vehicle speed (when moving) and it will
also indicate when vehicle is stationary
vehicle status displayed through colour
coding.
An incident list – providing information to
Patrol Officers and Patrol Supervisors on
incidents that are current, resolved and need
to be allocated with a mobile supervision
facility.
Ability for Control Room staff to send
Incidents directly to MDTs, allowing directed
despatch. Control Room staff are notified
when the incident is accepted by the MDT
operator.
Patrol Officers can directly update the
CAD Incident via the MDT unit, this update is
seen straight away by Control Room staff.
Emergency activation of an MDT leads to
an incident being created in the Command
and Control system that contains the map
reference, this allows support to be
despatched immediately to the correct
location.
Access to:
Police National Computer (PNC)
Computer Aided Despatch (CAD)
including access to Critical Police Information
through the mid screen comments
Quick Address for address checks
Secure text messaging
In-car mapping.
Project Planning & Delivery
Motivated by operational needs to provide access to real-time information to officers,the MPS MDT project was initiated in 1999.
Initially researching other police forces systems, the MPS visited Sussex Police to discuss the MDT project they were implementing.
This was a major programme of work and involved the co-operation of a number of MPS departments to ensure the solution would be delivered successfully.The project was managed and planned by the MPS Directorate of Information.This involved management of the various suppliers involved in software delivery and its testing and implementation,procurement of the vehicle hardware and its installation, deployment of MDT into the various control rooms, placing of contracts and developing processes for the support of the MDT systems.
One of the key areas of work was training.
This involved developing a Computer Based Training package (developed by NCALT),which has been used by 15,000 officers and included building a dedicated training suite in central London to train 9,000 staff in PNC and Control Room procedures.
The logistics of installing MDT kit in approximately 1,500 operational vehicles was managed by the MPS Transport Section and ensured an installation programme was in place to minimise the impact on operational policing.
MDT system trials took place at four MPS Operational Command Units in 2000.
Feedback from trial users and other forum were used to develop the service and highlighted changes that,for operational reasons, needed to be made to the specifications – with changes made to data presentation, functionality and the provision of in-car keyboards.
The project roll out was phased to take in testing of PNC, text messaging,AVLS,CAD and Inca Map Client and has now been rolled out across the 32 London Boroughs and a number of pan-London OCUs.
Due to the scale of implementation there has been a need for considerable business change activity to deliver the MDT solution to users, before the benefits could be realised.
Shaun O’Neill,MPS MDT Business Change Manager and Senior Sponsor said, "Through a robust evaluation framework,and ongoing user feedback sought and acted upon throughout the introduction of the system,we have produced an MDT system that meets not only the business needs but the user needs.
"As with the implementation of any IT project that involves process business change,there has been a period of time while users get used to the system before potential benefits have been realised.As officers have seen how the system can help them,we have started to see these benefits realised,with officers becoming innovative with their use of it.We have clearly released a latent demand for the systems offered on MDT;and are seeing increasing effectiveness in the way we work and improved officer safety.
"This is not just about officers being able to make faster checks on CAD and PNC;this is meeting a demand we knew was there,but can now be fulfilled through the use of mobile data technology."
What the users say
"MDT is very useful in helping units find locations, allowing in-car vehicle checks and Controllers,CAD staff and supervisors to view where the units are and use it for fair and effective deployment. MDT is very userfriendly"
Borough Operation Command Unit(BOCU) Supervisor.
"By sending incident records directly to the vehicle there is no confusion over where officers are going or what the incident involves, quickly reducing time spent explaining over the radio." CAD Room Supervisor.
"I particularly find incident lists and ‘unit status’ useful." Patrol Supervisor.
"An MDT emergency alarm sounded in Kennington’s control room during a late shift.
The control room contacted the officer whose alarm had been activated on the radio to hear the sounds of the officer struggling with a suspect.Using MDT’s tracking system,the control room knew the exact location to send assistance to.Three arrests were made."Patrol Officer.
Benefits being realised
Without a doubt,the roll out of MDT has generated more intelligence for the force equating directly to more arrests.
Control room staff can see where response vehicles are at all times so that support and response can be directed more accurately and respond faster.In addition,the mapping feature allows Patrol Officers to locate incidents quicker.
Patrol Sergeants have MDT in Patrol Supervision Vehicles providing them with a command picture of police officers in attendance, those potentially able to offer back-up and the range of incidents on individual boroughs requiring a response.
The system has also brought about improved officer safety and empowerment with information being sent via MDT,officers spend less time on the radio requesting background information for incidents freeing the radio for co-ordination and command of incidents and improving officer safety.
Through direct access to MPS and national databases Police Officers are empowered through the critical police information designed to protect their safety.
Management information is a further benefit providing a full audit trail of Officer and patrol activity.There is also further potential being realised for Borough SMTs to review and enhance patrol patterns.
Greater efficiencies
MDT has brought about improved call deflection with officers using Quick Address and other MDT programmes to reduce the demand on the Control Room. This in turn brings about an improved direct provision of information to mobile staff.
Releasing latent demand
The MPS is seeing the benefits realised –with an upward trend in usage since full roll out at the end of 2004.
PNC checks on MDT up more than a third in the past year:
Total PNC vehicle checks made = 2,362,596
Total PNC name checks = 1,558,394
Checks by Patrol Supervisors of the BOCU
Open incidents report up 25%.
"We are seeing a marked increase in the number of vehicle checks on the move officers are realising the ease of using the system while on the move and the potential to make arrests as the result of one simple check on the MDT. Officers are also aware of the benefits to their safety – enabling officers toprotect themselves with data that is now at their fingertips." Commented Shaun O’Neill,MPS MDT Business Change Manager and Senior Sponsor
Working together - the MDT Solution Providers for the MPS
BT redcare, with its subcontractor,developed the mobile data and vehicle location applications to support the mobile access to remote databases, automatic vehicle tracking and incident dispatch and update.
They are also responsible for the systems architecture, applications and gateway development,third-party integration,installation and support.
As the UK Mobitex operator, BT redcare provided the mobile data network service within the context of the Home Office Framework Agreement (HOFA),including providing access to the Police National Computer(PNC) system,identifying the location of police vehicles and secure messaging for computer aided despatch and reporting in real-time.
This access was enabled by Unisys creating a new XML based interface between MDT and the MPS Command and Control system.
Harriet Naden,Unisys account executive forthe MPS says,"As a technology partner of the MPS for over 20 years,Unisys was in a unique position to facilitate the introduction of MDTs at the MPS. The experience gained on both sides has enabled other XML connectivity to the Command and Control system."
Equipment,installed in the vehicle by McNeillies was supplied by Microbus and includes a ruggedised LCD touch-screen,computer and QWERTY keyboard,GPS receiver and a radio modem provided by BT redcare.Data can be entered either on screen or via the keyboard for incident despatch and update,activity-based reporting and database queries; in addition a map display is available at all times to show the vehicle’s current location or the location of an address to which the vehicle has been despatched.
"Microbus is proud to have been selected as a vital part of this project," says John Evans,Managing Director of Microbus."Being specifically designed for in-car use,police officers have,at their disposal,an in-vehicle computer of proven reliability which cooperates with the vehicle’s systems to provide maximum availability. MPS user acceptance indicates that the hardware platform is part of a system that delivers real, and dependable, benefits across many levels of the MPS structure."
"The scope of MacNeillie's remit within the project was for us to engineer an innovative,cost effective and quality driven solution to integrate the MDT equipment into the vehicles and to handle the roll-out programme. Using latest technologies our design team provided a technical solution that enabled us to replace sections of dashboard with bespoke MDT consoles,thus reducing the impact of additional equipment within the vehicle cabin. Following the design proposals, and in conjunction with Transport Section's Vehicle Engineering Department, the logistics of handling the complete installation programme for the relative fleet were planned and implemented by our Project Management team. This involved the collection of vehicles from all BOCUs using our own transporter fleet, converting and returning the vehicles to a pre-agreed schedule. The schedule, albeit challenging, was planned to minimise down time to an operational fleet;this was achieved within budget and on time," explained Nigel Rowley, Projects Director S MacNeillie & Son Limited.
The PNC service,operating over the BT redcare network, provides two core applications: PNC vehicle enquiries and PNC name enquiries. The data contained in the PNC databases provides information on vehicle licensing, theft reports and personal details,including description, details of offences and methods and disqualified driver records.
"Providing our officers with mobile access to the PNC allows them to obtain information on stolen vehicles,wanted and missing persons, previous convictions and bail conditions at the touch of a button," explains Paul Glaister, programme manager at the MPS responsible for the MDT project.Continuing he said,“The nature of police work in the UK requires a completely reliable solution to transfer mission critical data to officers on patrol. By transferring information in data format rather than by voice over radio,there is less room for error and misunderstanding."
The MDT system also provides Police Supervisors with the facility to track all the incidents – current, resolved and needing to be allocated – through the Incidents list.
"We are very pleased to be chosen by the Metropolitan Police Service for this visionary project," comments Chet Patel, Chief Executive of BT redcare Group. "The project clearly demonstrates the benefits of using wireless data services to optimise valuable police resources. By employing a mobile data solution, the MPS supervisors are no longer restricted to a control room or desk as they can now receive information on the move,enabling them to supervise an incident away from the scene and to deliver a more effective service to the public regardless of where they may be.The Mobitex network continues to be chosen above all others when the highest levels of service are required in demanding and critical environments. Mobitex kept on running over both 9/11 and 7/7, and it continues to be the network of choice in mission-critical environments."
Arqiva assisted the MPS team with project support throughout the rollout and implementation and now provide the MPS users with a 24/7 help-desk and fault management service, including ‘first response’ support to users and equipment. In addition Arqiva provides a second-line systems repair facility at its centrally located London Customer Support Centre.
As John Lyons, Arqiva’s Strategic Account Manager for the MPS says, "With multiple companies and suppliers coming together to provide the MPS with the mobile data product, it was vital that officers were given just one number to call for support.As an outsource partner for the MPS, we were considered well placed to provide vital mobile data ‘first response’ support and the overarching help-desk services which are an integral part of the managed service we provide to the MPS, ensuring officers have coordinated support 24/7."
