Interoperability in justice and public safety: March 2026 forum write-up
On 25 March, techUK hosted a session of the Interoperability in Security and Public Safety Forum. The forum brings together industry, policing, and justice stakeholders to discuss the current challenges and priorities around improving interoperability across the justice and policing sectors.
Introduction and overview of the forum
The session opened with an overview of the Interoperability and Policing Working Group, created in 2018 to accelerate interoperability across policing systems by engaging operational leaders, experts, and stakeholders. In 2025, the group evolved into the Interoperability and Justice and Public Safety Forum, expanding its membership and remit to drive wider collaboration across justice and public safety.
The forum has worked closely with organisations including PDS, and has published two white papers, one explaining interoperability and another on procurement, both offering practical recommendations for improving interoperability in policing.
David Tonks, who has been involved in the forum since its earlier working‑group days, talked through what’s driving the push for digital interoperability, such as improving public safety, making operations more efficient, sharing information more easily, using analytics and AI, and working better across agencies. He also pointed out the main obstacles, including disconnected IT systems, a lack of shared standards, too much bespoke tech, leadership and funding challenges, and not enough good examples to learn from.
The forum recommends creating a clear interoperability strategy, investing in training and skills, prioritising open APIs, and building stronger collaboration and knowledge sharing to help move things forward.
CC Chris Todd, Chief Constable of Humberside Police & Chair of the National Police Data and Analytics Board
CC Chris Todd gave an update on the development of the National Data Integration and Exploitation Service (NDIES). He outlined the journey from earlier initiatives like NDAS, the lessons learned, and the ambition to deliver a national data‑integration capability by April 2027.
He explained how NDIES is now a formal programme under the National Data and Analytics Office, focused on creating national standards, improving skills, and supporting forces with guidance and practical tools. Early market engagement has already attracted strong supplier interest, and the team is exploring how to build an ecosystem that balances flexibility, innovation, and value for money.
He also shared how Humberside is approaching interoperability through API‑based integration for modern systems and RPA for legacy ones, with scalable solutions designed to work locally while remaining compatible with regional and national plans.
The discussion also touched on strategic choices for national delivery, whether to build a flexible “patchwork” ecosystem or a single monolithic solution, with strong views on avoiding vendor lock‑in and keeping space for SME innovation. Participants also raised questions about funding, timelines, governance, and data sovereignty, emphasising the need for secure, layered architectures and clear guardrails.
Here you can find a summary of the previous Interoperability forum sessions.
