Data in Policing, Justice, and Government: A Strategic Approach

“Data Rich and Insight Poor” - A term I keep hearing more and more…. We all know that data is the cornerstone of informed decision-making. However, despite the vast amounts of data at their disposal, many public sector organisations struggle to harness its full potential. The root of this challenge lies not in the lack of data but in the strategic approach to managing and utilising it.

The Current Data Dilemma

Public sector organisations face a unique set of challenges when it comes to data.

Fragmented Data Sources: Silo data across various departments and systems, making it difficult to obtain a holistic view.

Data Quality: Inconsistent or inaccurate data - leading to poor insights and decision-making.

Resource Constraints: Limited budgets or resources restricting the ability to implement comprehensive data strategies.

Security and Privacy: Ensuring data security and compliance adds yet another layer of complexity.

If we read any public review, inspection report or pick up a newspaper, we can see for ourselves how these issues can impede the ability of policing, justice, and government bodies to respond effectively to the needs of the public. To overcome these obstacles, a strategic approach to data management and utilisation is essential.

Why Metrics Matter

Let me make one thing clear - Metrics are more than just numbers… In public services, the right metrics can provide insights into performance, efficiency, and areas needing improvement. Here’s why I believe metrics matter:

Informed Decision-Making: Accurate metrics provide a solid foundation for making well-informed decisions.

Accountability and Transparency: Metrics enable organisations to measure their performance and hold themselves accountable.

Resource Allocation: Understanding key metrics helps provide support where it is needed most - inside and outside the organisation.

Continuous Improvement: Metrics highlight areas of success and opportunities for improvement

But the same old problems still exist…

For every new project, service or consultation that takes place, we hear the term “Reinventing the wheel" banded around a little too much, too often. Evolving Public Expectations are moving with technology advances. The public expects more efficient and transparent services.

Complex issues such as crime, social justice, and public health are becoming increasingly complex and data-driven solutions are essential - But Budgetary Pressures remain. Ongoing financial constraints mean that public services must do more with less - And keeping pace with technological advancements requires ongoing investment in skills and infrastructure.

In light of these challenges, having a strategic approach to data management and utilisation is not just beneficial—it is crucial.

Breaking down the challenge

To address these challenges, I launched the “Metrics That Matter” campaign - We are talking to customers about a simple three pillars and how we work with them on those:

1. Business KPIs: Defining What Matters

• We collaborate with stakeholders to identify and define their critical business KPIs.
• Ensure these KPIs align with the strategic objectives of the organisation. (Eg. Violence Against Women and Girls or The Victims Code Of Practice)

2. Data Engineering: Accessing and Integrating Data

• Our discovery sessions help customers to map out where critical data resides and how it is accessed.
• Demonstrate how using integration solutions can create a unified view of data without extensive migration.

3. Data Visualisation: Sharing Insights Effectively

• Develop intuitive processes, interfaces and reporting tools that visualise key metrics and drive action.
• Provide training to empower users to leverage these tools for better decision-making.

Enabling Transformation Through Collaboration

By adopting this approach, public sector organisations will benefit from:

1. Comprehensive Insights: Accessing and integrating to data seamlessly with a deeper view of their operations.
2. Improved Decision-Making: Utilising visualised data to make informed, data-driven decisions.
3. Enhanced Efficiency: Streamlined processes and allocated resources that are more effectively based on accurate metrics.
4. Improved Accountability: Using metrics to measure performance internally or building trust with partners and the public.

During my time working across public services and now in Salesforce , it is clear collaboration is key to overcoming these challenges. By working in this way, we have been able to Identify key metrics through workshops and consultations to help organisations define their critical KPIs. Our MuleSoft Solution Engineers can demonstrate the power of integration, ensuring data is accessible and unified. Finally, wrapping all of this together with Tableau to create insightful, actionable visualisations adds the final piece of the jigsaw.

By focusing on the metrics that matter, we can transform the way policing, justice, and government organisations manage and utilise their data. Customers are finally unlocking the full potential of data, driving better outcomes for the public and fostering a more efficient, transparent, and responsive service to citizens and victims.

This is not taking them years - In many cases, it doesn’t even happen in months… Within weeks, we are seeing a huge impact.

https://www.salesforce.com/uk/solutions/industries/government/verticals/