GMP's troubled computer system to get an upgrade

The troubled computer system used by Greater Manchester Police is being upgraded on Tuesday (11 May).

The upgrade is being implemented on the PoliceWorks records management system, which is where staff and officers can access information about crimes, case files and missing people. 

Introduced in July 2019, Integrated Operational Policing System (iOPS) has been plagued with problems since the beginning.

An independent review found the system’s rollout had left 'hundreds' of vulnerable victims potentially at risk after a large increase of backlogs.

 

Read more: GMP still working through domestic abuse backlog caused by iOPS with 10,000 cases outstandingPublished: 01 July 2020

 

Read more: Vulnerable victims “put at risk” by GMP’s new computer system, report findsPublished: 04 March 2020

 

Read more: Greater Manchester Police using paper to record data after computer errorPublished: 06 February 2020

 

The force says the planned upgrade to the PoliceWorks system 'will not impact on public safety which is of utmost priority' and 'brings a significant number of fixes to bugs and minor defects which have accumulated over time, and are to some degree inevitable with a system of this scale and complexity'.

It says the upgrade will enable staff and officers to carry out their roles more efficiently and keep people safe. 

The upgrade is described as a 'complex piece of work', meaning PoliceWorks will be offline for a short time while the work is completed but will be back online later the same day. 

Not all of the iOPS system will be offline, however to ensure disruption to the service is minimised, 'a business continuity plan will be in place, including paper based recording where appropriate, to ensure officers and staff can still carry out their roles and the safety of the public is not compromised while the upgrade takes place'.

Local authorities and victim support services have been given the relevant information ahead of the upgrade so that any impact on partnership working can be understood and addressed in advance.

Assistant Chief Constable Chris Sykes said: "The upgrade is essential as it brings improvements to the tools our officers and staff need to effectively deal with crime and continue their valuable work with communities.

"The upgrade is a complex piece of work but our business continuity plan will ensure there is minimal disruption to our service and the safety of the public is not compromised. Staff and officers will still be able to carry out their roles during the outage, and we plan to have everything back online later the same day."