DN 02-06-12/2022 – Digital Evidence Management Software

02-06-12/2022      Date 06.12.22 

Digital Evidence Management Software

The Commissioner has decided to approve investment to fund the implementation of Digital Evidence Management Software (DEMS) to enable North Yorkshire Police (NYP) to digitise the processes for gathering, storing, preparing and sharing digital evidence.

Background

The processes and systems for dealing with digital evidence in NYP are currently reliant on removable media (DVDs and CDs), and aren’t fully aligned to the management of digital material. This is inefficient and represents an information security risk.

The introduction of a Digital Evidence Management Software (DEMS) solution to digitise the process for gathering, storing, preparing and sharing digital evidence will improve the efficiency of processes for dealing with digital evidence, reducing the time spent by officers and staff to gather, prepare and share evidence during investigations. It will also improve the sharing of digital material with partners in the Criminal Justice System, and reduce the risks and costs associated with the use of removable media to store and share evidence.

Decision Record

The Commissioner has decided to invest in the introduction of a DEMS solution for NYP.

Zoë Metcalfe

Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for North Yorkshire

Statutory Officer Advice

Legal, Management and Equality Implications

The Commissioner’s Chief Executive and Monitoring Officer, having read this report and having considered such information as has been provided at the time of being asked to express this view, is satisfied that this report does not ask the Commissioner to make a decision which would (or would be likely to) give rise to a contravention of the law.

Simon Dennis

Chief Executive and Monitoring Officer

Financial and Commercial

The Commissioner’s Chief Finance Officer and S151 Officer has advised that the financial implications for this decision, which were set out within the business case, are included within the medium term financial plan and therefore affordable to the PFCC. The final costs are subject to procurement and therefore not included within this decision notice.

Michael Porter

Chief Finance Officer