UK police forces have not significantly changed the way they dispatch officers in over a decade. While there have been minor updates to the process, the fundamental reliance on voice communication remains the same. A dispatcher verbally relays incident information to officers in the field, who must remember the details and manually enter the incident location into their navigation systems. This approach, heavily dependent on human performance, introduces inefficiencies and quality concerns that can be mitigated through the adoption of modern technology.

The Challenges of Traditional Dispatching

The current voice-based dispatching system presents several critical issues that impact the efficiency and quality of police operations. Given the scrutiny faced by UK police forces, these outdated methods could hinder their ability to meet required standards. Some of the key risks associated with the traditional dispatching model include:

1. Human Error and Inconsistency

- The manual process of relaying and entering information increases the likelihood of errors, such as incorrect addresses or misunderstood details.

- Service quality heavily depends on the skill and experience of individual dispatchers and officers, leading to inconsistencies and making it difficult to quickly get new employees up to speed and standard.

- Automation can introduce standardised workflows, ensuring uniformity and reducing the potential for mistakes. For example, in healthcare, the introduction of electronic prescribing systems has reduced medication errors by 55% to 85%, highlighting the potential for similar improvements within policing.

2. Misrouted Units

- Dispatchers covering large geographic areas may inadvertently send officers to incorrect locations due to the same or similar sounding street names existing across different towns and cities, especially when working in rural locations where streets or roads numbers can cover many miles.

- An automated dispatch system that sends precise GPS coordinates to police vehicles significantly reduces the risk of delayed response times. Officers can receive location data directly in their vehicle's Mobile Data Terminal (MDT) software, where routing is started once the officer has confirmed the incident.

3. Improved Incident Tracking and Auditing

- Modern dispatch solutions, such as Evam MDT Software, provide enhanced traceability of incident responses.

- Officers can accept incidents, update their status, and share their Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) data securely to colleagues in real time.

- The ability to replay incidents, tracking vehicle movements and response times, supports auditing and service improvement efforts.

The Added Value of Adopting a Modern Approach to Police Dispatching

Situational awareness is a key factor in effective policing, especially during incident response. Enhanced situational awareness empowers officers to make swift, informed decisions, leading to more efficient and safer responses. By implementing a modern Mobile Data Terminal (MDT) software integrated with a Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) system, police forces can gain significant advantages, including:

1. Real-time Mapping and Navigation

- Officers receive accurate turn-by-turn directions with live traffic updates, minimising response times. Integration with the CAD system allows navigation to commence automatically once an officer confirms the incident - eliminating manual input and reducing the potential for human error.

- Access to the most up-to-date maps ensures precise navigation, even in rapidly evolving situations. Customisable map layers and overlays can be added to provide additional support in the field.

2. Vehicle Tracking and Coordination

- Officers can monitor the real-time location of other responding units, improving coordination and resource allocation.

- Estimated Time of Arrival (ETA) data, visible within the MDT software, allows officers and command centers to optimise response efforts and make informed deployment decisions.

3. Street-Level Intelligence

- Detailed street views provide officers with a better understanding of their destination, helping them identify critical access points and potential hazards.

- Knowing exact entrances and suitable parking areas enhances both operational efficiency and officer safety, reducing unnecessary delays upon arrival.

4. Incident Risk Information

- Essential risk-related data, such as known threats, hazardous materials, or suspect profiles, can be displayed directly within the MDT interface.

- Immediate access to critical information equips officers with the necessary insights to prepare for potentially dangerous situations before they arrive on the scene.

5. Enhanced Decision-Making

- With real-time data at their fingertips, officers can make more informed tactical decisions, leading to improved operational effectiveness.

- Better situational awareness helps officers de-escalate incidents more efficiently, enhancing both public safety and officer well-being.

A Hybrid Approach to Dispatching

Transitioning to a modern dispatch system does not mean eliminating voice communication entirely. A hybrid approach can be implemented, where incident details are both transmitted via voice and digitally sent to MDT software. This approach retains the familiarity of verbal communication while enhancing it with automation, ensuring a more reliable and efficient dispatch process.

Financial and Operational Benefits

Implementing a modern dispatching solution offers numerous financial and operational advantages, such as:

- Resource optimisation in control rooms, as automated processes free up valuable personnel time.

- Reduced audit-related efforts, with automated logs providing comprehensive incident tracking.

- Faster response times, leading to improved public safety and service efficiency.

- Enhanced work environments, with reduced pressure on individuals and greater reliance on automated processes.

Conclusion

Modernising UK police dispatch operations through technology will enhance efficiency, reduce human error, and ultimately improve incident response times. Solutions like Evam MDT Software provide a standardised, scalable, and resilient approach to dispatching, ensuring that officers are better equipped to serve their communities. Embracing automation while maintaining voice communication as a supplementary tool will position UK police forces for the future, delivering both financial savings and societal benefits.

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