Norris Green Croxteth Districts

[Jock]

Better still though, just get rid of the paperwork in the first place, aren't computers and databases supposed to have quickened things up?

Having listened recently to a phone in on 5Live about the amount of paperwork currently required for any arrests, its really quite shocking how much there is.

One of the complaints being raised time and again by the officers phoning in was the repetition of data on various computer systems. I can clearly remember one saying that you needed to fill out similar information across 6 systems.

Working in IT as a programmer I found it quite shocking. This would be relatively simple project to implement to share data between the systems and therefore reduce the amount of data entry for officers.

The reason given why PCSOs don't do the paperwork was because half the time they'd then have to contact the original officer and get further details to then fill-out. The rational was that it was just as quick for the original officer to fill out all the details. However, it could be improved by the PCSO doing all the repetive information surely...?!?

Needless to say the phone in left me flabber gasted.

My next door neighbour works behind a desk in the Police force described a very repetitive job that takes up a lot of man hours each month. It could easily be solved by a very quick computer program, and thus freeing up time for people to get on with other things... Not necessarily getting more officers out on the beat, but certainly making things more productive...