Accenture worked with SPD to create a Data Analytics Platform (DAP) that connects data from six disparate source systems, helping to ensure that high-quality data reaches police in an instant. The Department uses the platform to consolidate, prepare and analyse data related to a variety of operational matters—including police calls and incidents, interactions with the public, administrative processes, officer training and workforce management. One of the most innovative features was the ability to look at an officer’s chain of command to identify if there were patterns of use of force common to a particular squad, Sergeant or Lieutenant.
Now, rather than data sitting in systems, it is synthesised into insights that help in day-to-day operations and investigations. Having clean and reliable data in one place also allows law enforcement professionals to spot crime patterns or inform crime prevention strategies.
For the first time, SPD is able to accurately report out on its use of force, stops and detentions, and crisis events with timely and accurate information. The department took the extra step of pushing this data out publicly to “crowdsource” the analysis to supplement the on-going, internal analytics. This level of transparency is unprecedented.
With timely and accurate data, leaders can improve their ability to track use of force and officer performance across multiple measures, and more importantly, proactively intervene to address concerning patterns.
