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2 | Reach Issue 5 2013

Greater Manchester Police

T

he traditional paper ‘stop and search’ system used by Police forces across the country for years has been turned on its head by the Greater Manchester Police (GMP). In line with the call to nd more ef cient business processes, GMP has launched an innovative project that combines traditional policing, the latest technology and the Airwave Network.

Traditionally, completing the stop and search form was a long and laborious task. An of cer would start the process by lling in the form at the scene. The form would then be submitted to the of cer’s line

manager for checking before being sent off to a divisional intelligence of cer. At this point, an intelligence of cer would again check the form and then enter the handwritten details into the force’s intelligence system. However, last year the GMP Airwave Stop and Search Project launched a pilot programme that would make greater use of the Airwave Service. In designing the system, GMP engaged with communities, including the Moss Side and Hulme Independent Advisory Group who showed support for the new approach. Prior to force-wide roll-out all operational of cers were required

to complete an extensive training module to inform them not only about the hands-on functionality but also how the new legislation required a greater transparency and community accountability from the new stop and search process.

As part of GMP’s commitment to community involvement in the force-wide roll-out, members of the public and representatives of various community groups were invited to participate in the training. By inputting the data in real time via the Airwave Network on their handsets, the data-entry process is greatly reduced. Stop and