CGI (TSX: GIB.A) (NYSE: GIB) today announced the extension of CGI’s contract to build and operate the United Kingdom’s Police National Database (PND), for a further three years. The contract was originally signed in 2009 for a seven year term; it has been extended for an additional three years. The PND processes over 3 billion searchable records with over 4 million searches performed each year by officers licensed to access the database.
Under the terms of the contract extension CGI will ‘disaggregate’ relationships with other suppliers involved in PND delivery. This move means the Home Office will be able to directly manage relationships with hardware and software providers that are part of the programme. In addition, the PND will be transitioned to the Crown Hosting Service.
Collaboration between agencies is increasingly recognised as a way to improve public sector operations. Criminals rarely restrict themselves to the boundaries of one police force, and it’s necessary for police officers to share intelligence to ensure they get a full picture of a person’s criminal background. The PND has been through a series of significant enhancements over recent years including the introduction of:
- Big Data visualisation technologies
- Digital-focused search capability
- Automatic alerts and repeat searches
Steve Thorn, Senior Vice President, UK Public Sector, CGI added: “Police officers have long done the best they can with the information at their disposal – collaboration and the Police National Database takes the existing information and makes it more accessible, ensuring officers can bring together disparate pieces of information into a meaningful pattern. The PND is more than an IT system, it is a weapon in the fight against crime and terrorism. At CGI we are fully committed to helping the UK public sector to more effectively collaborate across agency and departmental boundaries.”
The PND was developed in the wake of the 2004 Bichard inquiry following the Soham murders. The inquiry’s chief recommendation was for the creation of a national police intelligence system that would allow for the sharing of existing data across police forces within the UK. Developed by CGI with input from the Home Office, approximately 4 million searches are performed each year by trained police officers licensed to access the database.
About CGI
Founded in 1976, CGI Group Inc. is the fifth largest independent information technology and business process services firm in the world. Approximately 65,000 professionals serve thousands of global clients from offices and delivery centers across the Americas, Europe and Asia Pacific, leveraging a comprehensive portfolio of services including high-end business and IT consulting, systems integration, application development and maintenance, infrastructure management as well as a wide range of proprietary solutions. With annual revenue in excess of C$10 billion and an order backlog of C$20 billion, CGI shares are listed on the TSX (GIB.A) and the NYSE (GIB). Website: www.cgi.com
For more information
Jenny McGowan
UK External Communications
jenny.mcgowan@cgi.com
+44 (0)7771 815428
