The Metropolitan Police has signed a £36.6m deal with Austrian
firm Frequentis to provide the force with an integrated command and
communications platform.
The seven-year contract will give London’s police force a
platform from which to run its legacy radio despatch system,
MetRadio, CCTV monitoring operations and the new Airwave digital
radio network.
The communications upgrade is part of the Met’s plans to improve
responses to 999 calls. Integrating information from the force’s
call-handling databases, radio and CCTV will help officers respond
to incidents more effectively.
The overhaul of the communications system takes place against a
backdrop of major IT developments at Scotland Yard, which warned
earlier this year that it would struggle to meet Home Office
deadlines for police intelligence sharing.
Deputy assistant commissioner Ron McPherson said, “The new
platform will be constructed using proven and tested software to
mitigate as many potential issues that may arise as systems and
technologies are integrated.
“Through the negotiation process we have developed a thorough
contract, providing clear lines of responsibility and
accountability for all parties. We are confident our supplier will
be delivering to specification and to milestones.”
The first phase of the system is scheduled to be operational
early next year.