Kent Police Joins Kent Connects

Kent Connects works with public sector organisations in Kent and Medway, transforming public service with the use of technology.   ‘Technology provides tremendous potential to the public sector to improve access to services.  But it can be costly and disruptive if things go wrong.  Kent Connects provides the expertise, resources and support to help our public sector partners make the right IT choices and deliver new systems successfully,’ explains Debbie Wisdom, Strategic Director of Kent Connects.  ‘And, by working together, public sector organisations develop an  economy of scale which they can use to negotiate savings and other benefits.’

 Enticed by the benefits of streamlining administration and savings from joint IT procurement, Kent Police’s Systems Manager, Mick Shipway, believes the move is good news for Kent residents.  ‘Kent Police is just one of a number of local public sector organisations, all maintaining separate records and systems behind the scenes, and often doing remarkably similar things.  Kent Connects offers us the potential to cut down on administration so we can focus our resources where they’re most needed.  We’ll also benefit from Kent Connects’ greater buying power.’

 Andrew Barker, Head of Information Systems with Kent Police, confirmed the importance of signing up. ‘Kent Police is extremely pleased to be joining Kent Connects. It is a recognition of the fact that crime reduction and prevention issues are not the domain of the police alone; we are part of a wider network of partners collaborating together. Kent Connects provides a vehicle for that network to be made even more effective.’

 Kent Connects is delighted to welcome Kent Police.  ‘Our membership already represents all the Kent and Medway Councils and Kent Fire and Rescue, all of whom the police work with closely on a day to day basis.  Kent Connects is a natural home for Kent Police’, says Angela Waite, Chair of Kent Connects. 

 Issued: 9 August 2007