Police and partners sign historic charter

Last week (Wednesday 13 March 2024) key figures including Chief Constable Gavin Stephens, Chair of the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) and Police Chief Scientific Adviser, Professor Paul Taylor, signed the pioneering UK Police Industry Charter, during the Security and Policing Conference at Farnborough International exhibition and conference centre.

The agreement sets out five key principles for how industry and policing should work together and tackles issues such as transparency, ethics, and sustainability.

Leaders hope the Charter will promote greater collaboration and inspire innovation within policing.

National Police Chiefs' Council Chair, Chief Constable Gavin Stephens said:

“Technology presents tremendous opportunities for policing, and we owe it to our communities to explore them.

“Policing must adapt and embrace technology or risk being left behind. New technology will help us tackle a broad range of crime, re-allocate officers and staff to the frontlines, and ultimately give the public a better service.

“But to do this, we must use the right tools effectively, ethically and with support from industry partners.

“By creating and fostering these mutually beneficial relationships, we are ensuring Forces will have access to the right suppliers, products and technical support, so they can deliver the excellent service the public deserves for generations to come.

“The Charter sets out clear foundational principles for these collaborative relationships and we look forward to seeing what the future brings.”

Another signatory of the Charter, Police Chief Scientific Adviser, Professor Paul Taylor said: 

"The NPCC science and technology strategy recognises the essential contributions of industry to policing’s mission. For our partnerships to be effective, policing must be clear on what suppliers can expect from us and what we seek in return.

"The Police Industry Charter sets out five principles that policing commits to going forward. They reflect high level priorities that will shape the nature of our partnerships, be they with new innovators or global companies. As such, the Charter is a cornerstone in our wider efforts to make it easier for industry to contribute to public safety in the UK.”

Other signatories of the Charter include Sir Matthew Rycroft, Permanent Secretary, Home Office, Dame Julie Kenny, Chair of the UK’s Security and Resilience Industry Suppliers Community, Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones, Chair, Association of Police and Crime Commissioners and Lianne Deeming, CEO of BlueLight Commercial. 

Visit BlueLight Commercial or science.police.uk to view the Charter and for more information on how to sign up.