User-centred research into mobile law enforcement recognised

C-innovate, a user-centred consultancy based at the Sussex Innovation Centre at the University of Sussex, has won an award for its research into mobile technology and innovation in the public sector.

During the last 5 years, C-innovate has been developing and applying this user-centred approach in UK police forces as part of the mobile technology revolution ongoing in these forces. In recent years all UK Police Forces have begun to explore or are now exploring the use of mobile computing at the frontline. National strategies (such as the NPIA Mobile Implementation Programme and the Prime Ministers allocation of £50 million to the police mobile information budget) and reviews of policing (such as Sir Ronnie Flanagan’s interim review in September 2007 and published report of 2008) have identified the need to identify the costs and benefits of rolling out mobile computing and to ascertain how to ensure the success of such roll outs. C-innovate’s recent work has focused on developing user engagement and benefits realisation strategies and evaluating the implementation of hand held technology for several national police pilot projects.

At international award ceremony held during the Blackberry Alliance Summit and Wireless Enterprise Symposium in Orlando on the 13th May, Mike Lazaridis (CEO/founder of BlackBerry) presented C-innovate with an award ‘In recognition of wireless excellence in Law Enforcement’ for their work with Bedfordshire Police on their mobile computing project.

Associated Link: C-innovate

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