The Work of ACPO Technical & Research Committee
| Author | John Newing |
| DOI | 10.1177/0032258X9306600305 |
| Date | 01 July 1993 |
| Published date | 01 July 1993 |
| Subject Matter | Article |
JOHN NEWING, Q.P.M., B.A.
Chief
Constable,
Derbyshire
THE
WORK
OF
ACPO
TECHNICAL &RESEARCH
COMMITTEE
Improvements intechnology inthesphereofCommunicationsInformation
Systems and ScientificSupport have taken place at such a pace over the
past two decades that few can keep pace with them. Excellent work has
been donewithin police forcesto take advantageof the opportunitiesthat
technologyoffers. Despitethisthe overallpicturewithin theserviceis less
encouraging. For example, different forces are at different stages of
computerization as systems have been developed ad hoc as solutions to
specific problems. The problemsmay be common to most. if not all,
forces;the methodsofresolvingthemarenot. Incompatibility, wasteand
duplicationare just one result.
It is the responsibility of the Technical and Research Committee
(TARC) to provide co-ordination, direction and control in the areas of
researchanddevelopment. communications,computersandotherscientific
and technical aids to policing. The aim is to provide an integrated
approachandgreatervalueformoney.Ona nationallevelTARCprovides
a user input and exercises user direction over the planning and
implementation of national projects. At the local level it is the role of
TARC to ensure that forces have sufficient advice to take informed
decisions when planningIT strategiesand developingIT systems.
The
ACro
Technical and Research Committee (TARC) held its
inauguralmeeting on December 10, 1985,under the chairmanshipof the
thenChief Constableof Avon andSomerset,Mr R.F. Broome,OBE. The
Terms of Reference of TARC agreed at this time were:
(i) To assess andkeep underreview the needsof thePolice Service
in relation to current and potential use of computers, technical
aids and communications.
(ii) Toinitiate,reviewand monitorresearchintheseandotherareas
in liaison with central researchagencies.
(iii) To recommend for developmentequipment or systems which
the committee consider would increase the efficiency and
effectiveness of the Service, and to ensure that progress was
maintainedwhererecommendations were adopted.
(iv) To liaise where necessary with other ACPO and Home Office
committeesand report from time to time to
ACro
Council.
It
was decided that the TARC structure was to be a Main Committee
(TARC) with three sub groups - Requirements and Research Group
260 The Police Journal July 1993
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