Data-driven technologies

This authorised professional practice (APP) provides guidance for police forces when using data-driven technologies (DDTs). It sets out:

• a consolidated and clear starting point for adoption of DDTs based on a combination of guidance, subject matter expert input, codes and ethical frameworks, providing transparency to the public while protecting vulnerable people at risk of harm
• the legal, ethical and policy framework when using DDTs for an overt operational policing purpose

The guidance is also intended to provide the public with clear assurances of the safeguards in place for the responsible use of DDTs by policing.

This APP is not intended to provide specific guidance on individual DDTs or the performance metrics that should be gathered for each type of technology.

This APP is aimed at:

• chief officers, or any other senior leaders, who have the overall responsibility for the development of DDTs
• project leads tasked with the development of DDTs in response to an identified issue

This APP is of interest to:

• police officers, staff and volunteers responsible for procuring, evaluating and developing or using data analytics tools
• those responsible for overseeing and advising on the use of these tools

It is also relevant to non-Home Office police forces and partner organisations, including:

• police and crime commissioners (PCCs)
• the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC)
• the Police Digital Service (PDS)
• the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO)
• His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS)
• The Biometrics and Surveillance Camera Commissioner (BSCC)
• the Home Office
• third-party technology suppliers and contractors

This APP aims to be comprehensive, so that the guidance can apply to the most complex and contentious technology, which has the potential to have an impact on a large number of individuals or communities. The content may not all be relevant for smaller-scale, less-risky innovations. In these cases, this APP can be used as a reference document – for example, to check the standard legal and ethical frameworks, as well as advice on consultation. If you are unsure what threshold to apply to your work, you can seek advice from:

• the Office of Police Chief Scientific Adviser (OPCSA)
• the College of Policing's productivity team
• the NPCC Artificial Intelligence Board

The Data ethics APP provides guidance on making ethical decisions in relation to the use of data. It should be taken into account when applying the guidance in this APP.