Ambitious Plans to Harness AI in Duty Management

Recently, the Prime Minister unveiled ambitious plans to revolutionise public services across the UK. Building on recommendations from AI tech entrepreneur Mark Clifford, the PM aims to leverage Artificial Intelligence to transform service delivery by implementing all 50 proposals in Clifford’s report.

While AI is a widely used term, it’s often misunderstood. What does this mean for the UK’s police services – many of which are eager to explore AI-driven solutions but remain uncertain about how to apply the technology in practical, impactful ways?

As specialists in Duty Management, we see two clear opportunities for AI to make a tangible difference:

Automation of Resource Scheduling

Currently, workforce planners can spend up to 80% of their time focusing on aspects that only have a 20% impact – in other words, they are spending most of their time reacting to day-to-day resourcing issues rather than more complex tasks that could end up having a larger impact.

Backfilling staff sickness or reacting to last-minute changes requires significant human intervention – both in terms of planning and ringing around other departments to pool resources – when in reality, this has the potential to be looked after by automated systems with pre-set rules.

This is where our innovative Optimised Shift Scheduling comes in. Using advanced algorithms to automate scheduling processes enhances policing responsiveness and minimises unnecessary administrative tasks.

Advanced Business Analytics

AI-powered tools can unlock valuable insights from your vast resource databases, empowering decision-makers with the data they need to optimise service operations.

With the help of the Open Data Platform (ODP) from Crown, you can now unlock a goldmine of data that has often been out of reach, bringing Duty Management System (DMS) data out of the operational database and directly into the strategic heart of your business.

ODP supports Microsoft Power BI as a powerful and popular reporting tool. Power BI is rich in AI features and supports advanced customisation, allowing organisations to tailor their reports and analyses.

Conclusion

At Crown, we are committed to playing our part by developing innovative solutions that will transform Resource Management. Our tools are designed to equip your analysts and data scientists with the insights they need to shape the future of policing.

As we continue to advance our solutions, Crown Workforce Management remains committed to using AI responsibly and securely, ensuring that innovation is balanced with security and trust.

The message is clear: public sector organisations, including police forces, must find ways to do more with less. Change is not just important - it’s urgent.