FCN’s commercial experts have been nominated for a CIPS Excellence In Procurement Award their work on the Transforming Forensics  Rape Review Response Project (RRRP).

RRRP was a £5m initiative established at the request of the Home Office as part of the Government’s Rape Review and associated drive to improve how Rape and Serious Sexual Offence (RASSO) cases are tackled across the whole of the Criminal Justice System in England and Wales. RRRP was a cross functional, multi organisation project, deploying cutting-edge frontline technology direct to forces, including:

  • 21 digivans – unmarked, fully mobile digital forensics units, built to bespoke specifications and equipped with state-of-the-art tools.
  • 116 ruggedised laptops – fully tested and ready to use, configured to allow officers to quickly and sensitively examine mobile phones wherever they need to
  • 22 kiosks – configured and ready to go, these fixed-site computers allow officers to examine mobile phones with targeted and specific searches to speedup processes and limit intrusion.

The new kit is underpinned by supporting activities for forces, including:

  • Quality assurance meaning tools and kit are centrally validated
  • Implementation, co-ordination and management support

FCN’s commercial experts supported the delivery of this project by collaborating with a wide range of stakeholders including government partners, law enforcement, policing, subject matter experts and specialist suppliers. The procurement was complex, with a range of different technical elements, delivered in a compressed timescale against a backdrop of global supply chain challenges and instability.

Paul Greaves, Senior Commercial Manager at the FCN, commented:

“The commercial challenge for RRRP was buying a complex range of hardware that required a build of six separate configurations, each including niche software for specialist digital forensics activity. The challenge was compounded by both the IT and Vehicle manufacturing markets suffering significant global supply chain issues resulting in extended lead times. Additionally we were fast approaching financial year end, with all equipment needing to be procured and delivered to Forces within a three-month window.”

Jo Ashworth, FCN CEO said:

“I’m so proud of the work that FCN and our colleagues in Transforming Forensics did to deliver the RRRP and it’s brilliant to see the Commercial team being formally recognised. It’s a great example of how FCN can coordinate and deliver real improvements for policing and victims of crime. Best of luck to the team on award night!”

The CIPS awards take place on 21st September.

You can read more about the RRRP project here:

Twenty-four forces join new Transforming Forensics Rape Response Project | FCN

Northants PCC and Chief Constable showing off their new digivan to local media.

Also this force focus article:  https://www.fcn.police.uk/news/2021-10/force-focus-bedfordshire-leading-way-digital-forensics

It’s a great example of how FCN can coordinate and deliver real improvements for policing and victims of crime. Best of luck to the team on award night!