Posted by: Simon Carroll
Knowledge-sharing is a two-way
process. So while the potential of innovation to help solve some
of the most pressing challenges facing frontline policing is one
of ACE’s guiding principles, we’re also helping one officer see
law enforcement from a completely different
angle.
Alex has been a constable on the beat
in Hackney since late 2021 as part of a two-year POLICE: NOW training
scheme designed to recruit graduates into policing and develop
them into neighbourhood policing
leaders.
As part of his probation programme, he
has been seconded to ACE for four weeks to gain industry
experience as well as develop new skills. While gaining a greater
understanding of how industry and technology can help respond to
issues which impact the frontline, he is also sharing valuable
inside perspectives and ideas of how ACE can further support
policing.
ACE is in its second year of
supporting POLICE:NOW, which is a social enterprise. Through the
scheme, Alex applied for a
placement with the Home Office because he had always had an interest in the public sector
and was interested to experience another organisation working
with the same public safety goal as the
police.
He said: “I went into policing because
I wanted a public facing
role where there is an unpredictability in the
day-to-day, and I’m enjoying
neighbourhood policing because it’s so varied and so
busy.
Work that has a direct impact
“But as a frontline officer you don’t
really have any idea about how long-term changes come about and
the drivers behind them, but I can see from meetings I’ve had
with ACE that things happening now will have a direct impact down
the line and change lives, not just in policing but other areas
such as the NHS as well.”
He added: “I’ve been talking to expert
suppliers about how they could improve existing systems, which is
really interesting, and I’ve been walked through other work
looking at CCTV advancements, for example. It’s great to see how
technology assistance will be able to help humans do what they do
best.
“I’ve also helped on some major
commissions and events – ACE is great at putting people in touch
with each other and getting the right people in the right places
and making progress quickly.
An awareness of what is possible
“I’m definitely going to go back to
the beat with more of an awareness of what is possible, and will
be asking ‘why not’? And ‘why can’t we do
this’?”
Clara Pettitt, ACE’s Quality Hub lead
who leads some of our social value initiatives, said:
“There's huge value to bringing
those on the public service frontline into ACE. It means we stay
constantly plugged in to real mission needs while those at the
operational sharp end see the possibilities for impact when we
bring the best of technology, academia and industry to bear on
solving problems collaboratively.
“Alex’s frontline knowledge has been
really clear from day one and he has been a valued asset to ACE,
adding remarkable value to our customers’ most pressing problems
in a short space of time. This scheme directly demonstrates the
possibilities and impact of cross-collaboration across law
enforcement.”
