Independent Advisory Group: Police Scotland’s use of emerging technologies
New technologies, ideas and methods are shaping the police force of tomorrow. We have seen the change in crime landscape over the years and, more recently, the challenges faced in the response to the COVID-19 pandemic. When exploring the adoption of new emerging technologies, it is also essential to understand the legal and ethical considerations arising in the adoption of these technologies.
June 2019 saw the Cabinet Secretary for Justice appear before the Scottish Parliament’s Sub-Committee on Policing relating to a report released looking at the use of digital triage devices by Police Scotland. The forming of an Independent Advisory Group (IAG) was announced as a response to this appearance to explore the legal and ethical considerations arising from emerging technological developments.
techUK was delighted to have been approached by the Scottish Government in November 2020 to sit on the IAG reporting into the Cabinet Secretary for Justice on Police Scotland’s use of emerging technologies. This group will see leads from the Information Commissioners Office (ICO), Policing, technology, Justice, academia and more coming together to drive forward this agenda and discuss some of the key challenges in the adoption of these technologies by Police Scotland.
Julian David, techUK CEO, said:
“The formation of an independent advisory group focused on the implications of the use of emerging technologies in policing and justice is most welcome. It is vital that emerging tech is not only used legally and ethically, but used for the benefit of people, society, the economy, and the planet.
“When we spoke to stakeholders across Scotland about how the tech sector can help Scotland recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and build back better, the key theme was around the need for greater levels of collaboration and coordination, with the goal of developing a tech ecosystem. It is my hope that this IAG can foster that collaboration between all parties involved.”
Remit and Purpose of the Group
The IAG will explore whether the current legal or ethical frameworks need to be updated to ensure Police Scotland’s use of emerging technologies, with regards to operational policing, is compatible with human rights legislation, other applicable legislation, and best practice. The group will provide recommendations to respond to any identified issues in the adoption of new emerging and transformative technologies.
The group will come together to look at the potential impact of emerging technologies or analytical techniques – whether currently available, in development or not presently deployed – could have on Police Scotland’s prevention and detection of crime. It is also important to explore if the current legal and ethical frameworks being utilised by Police Scotland to exercise their powers are sound and can allow for the proportionate deployment of emerging technologies. The group will consider this within the context of the Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012
The group’s Chair Dr Liz Aston (Edinburgh Napier University) said:
“We are confident that by drawing on diverse expertise from academia, civil society, statutory bodies, policing and the technology sector, the IAG will drive forward positive change. This will include improvements to: legal and ethical frameworks; engagement and governance processes; and will enable the deployment of policing solutions that are evidence based, innovative, and rights-based.”
Since the forming of the IAG, the group have met twice with the next meeting scheduled for May. If you are interested in hearing more about this work please reach out to Georgie, [email protected]
Georgie Morgan
Georgie joined techUK as the Justice and Emergency Services (JES) Programme Manager in March 2020, then becoming Head of Programme in January 2022.
