The Police Digital Service (PDS) has agreed a new partnership with BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT, in a move designed to strengthen digital capability, improve professional standards and support long-term career development across policing.

The collaboration will give police officers and staff access to 470 BCS membership places, distributed across all territorial forces (10 per force), as well as Police Service Northern Ireland, British Transport Police, the College of Policing and the National Crime Agency. Members will have access to BCS’ technical expertise, professional development resources and recognised pathways such as MBCS, RITTech and CITP.

PDS said the agreement will also align closely with wider skills and training work led by the College of Policing, supporting forces as they expand and modernise their digital capability.

The partnership opens access to digital skills and workforce planning tools underpinned by well-established frameworks including SFIAplus and the Government Digital and Data framework (formerly DDaT). These resources are expected to support forces with role design, skills assessments and structured career planning as they develop the specialist digital workforce needed for modern policing.

PDS said the move will also support ethical and high-quality technology practice across policing, reinforcing public trust in how data and digital tools are used to keep communities safe.

The announcement aligns with the National Policing Digital Strategy 2025–2030, which centres on modernising technology, improving data-driven decision-making and strengthening public safety in an increasingly digital environment.

Chief Constable Rob Carden, NPCC Lead for Digital, Data and Technology, said: “Digital, data and technology is pivotal to the success of wider police reform. It drives better prevention and detection of crime, increases efficiency and enhances public safety.

“I’m delighted to be working with the British Computer Society, ensuring that our people can become more digitally literate; with the skills and knowledge needed to harness technology effectively and responsibly. This partnership is an important step in ensuring policing remains agile, innovative, and equipped to meet the challenges of a rapidly evolving digital world.”

“Our collaboration with BCS underlines our commitment to professional development and excellence in technology. This initiative supports our wider efforts to empower policing through digital innovation and the capabilities that we provide for forces. By connecting policing with the wider tech community, we can accelerate innovation and deliver better outcomes for the public.”

Tony Eastaugh CBE, CEO of the Police Digital Service.

The agreement will run initially for 12 months, with the option to expand access as forces increase demand. PDS says the partnership is part of a wider effort to deepen collaboration between policing and the technology sector and build a resilient, digitally skilled workforce for the future.

“This partnership reflects our shared ambition to build a digitally confident and ethically grounded policing workforce. By supporting officers and staff to develop recognised professional skills, we’re strengthening the foundations of public trust in how technology and data are used. We are proud to work with PDS to help ensure policing has the digital capability it needs to keep our communities safe.”

Sharron Gunn, CEO of BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT.

To read similar articles, check out our Technology channel.

Source link