The force is looking to change how it uses IT services in order to cut costs while also modernising services and working practices, including adopting body worn cameras and issuing all frontline officers with tablets.
Central to these ambitions is the move towards a cloud-based infrastructure which will allow officers to securely access systems while working remotely.
To support this shift in working practices, BT will build a new high-speed wide area network connecting around 500 of the force’s sites across the capital, as well as upgrading local area networks.
In addition, the firm will build a corporate Wi-Fi network across the entire Metropolitan Police estate, upgrade systems in the force’s call centres to ensure 999 and 101 non-emergency calls are handled more efficiently and update some of the force’s back-office IT systems,
Colm O’Neill, managing director of BT Business and Public Sector, said: “We’ve built a longstanding relationship with the Metropolitan Police and are working with them to help them find better, smarter and more productive ways of working.
“Our systems will greatly enhance the way the force organises itself and responds to crimes across the capital, while reducing its IT and infrastructure costs.
“Moving to a cloud-based infrastructure, for example, will allow the Met to get even more services for less money, helping it to invest in future policing priorities.”
