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Exception partners with a former Deputy Chief Constable to launch a groundbreaking podcast on how technology will shape the future of British policing

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Exception partners with a former Deputy Chief Constable to launch a groundbreaking podcast on how technology will shape the future of British policing
Exception partners with a former Deputy Chief Constable to launch a groundbreaking podcast on how technology will shape the future of British policing
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Exception, the innovative Digital Transformation specialist, has partnered with former Deputy Chief Constable of Lincolnshire Police and NPCC Drugs Lead, Jason Harwin KPM, to present an innovative new podcast series, “Thin Digital Line”. This six-episode series explores how emerging technologies and data could shape British policing in 2045, discussing the impact of digital advancements on the future of law enforcement 21 years’ in the future.

The podcast, now available across all major podcast platforms, addresses diverse issues such as technological singularity, artificial intelligence (AI), digital crime, change management, and the evolution of wearable technologies. Each episode features in-depth discussions between Jason and the most influential senior leaders from the National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) and high profile forces like the City of London Police, offering unique insights into the transformative potential for policing.

As digital becomes more ubiquitous in society, the ongoing drive towards technological advancement in the police service has become a fundamental area of focus. Thin Digital Line seeks to enable a vital conversation about how the service must evolve over the coming two decades to maintain its mandate of protecting life and property, preserving peace, and preventing or detecting criminal offences.

“We are incredibly excited to launch the Thin Digital Line podcast and spark a meaningful conversation about the future of British policing,” said Exception’s Director Responsible for Criminal Justice, Alan Anderson. “The rapid pace of technological change requires a corresponding shift in how we envision and implement public safety strategies. By collaborating with policing experts, and sharing our expertise on digital transformation, we hope to highlight the innovations and challenges that lie ahead as we shape a future-ready service.”

Jason Harwin KPM, host of Thin Digital Line, added, “This series is not just about predicting the future, but also about preparing for it. We are entering an era where AI, digitisation, and cyber will revolutionise the way the service operates. It’s essential that we start this dialogue now, to ensure that policing continues to evolve alongside society. Through these conversations with distinguished colleagues from the NPCC and various forces, we hope to shed light on how policing is adapting to these fast-emerging trends.”

Chief Constable Gavin Stephens, NPCC Chair, and guest on Thin Digital Line, added, “The Thin Digital Line series offers valuable insights into the ways in which policing could navigate an increasingly digital world. It offers a glimpse into our digital priorities, explores how our approach is already being shaped by digital advancement and looks at how we might adapt our service ahead of the year 2045.”

With new episodes released every two weeks, Thin Digital Line is available on all major podcast platforms including Spotify, Google YouTube Music, Apple Podcasts, Amazon, Alexa and others. Across six episodes, the series will offer a roadmap to navigating the potential opportunities and risks brought by the technological revolution. For more information, visit exceptionuk.com/justice.

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Notes to Editor

The Thin Digital Line podcast series consists of six episodes, each focused on critical issues related to the future of policing, as influenced by technology. Below is the schedule and breakdown of the episodes:

Episode 1: The Force and Technological Singularity - release date: 16 September 2024

This episode explores the concept of technological singularity and its implications for policing. It delves into how advancements in AI and automation could transform the future of law enforcement, including the roles of human officers versus machines.

Episode 2: Digital Fraud, Cybercrime, and Computer Misuse - release date: 30 September 2024

The second episode examines the growing threat of cybercrime. It discusses digital fraud, cybercrime trends, and the evolving challenges police forces face in addressing computer-related crime.

Episode 3: AI, Liberty, and Digital Surveillance – release date: 14 October 2024

This episode discusses the tension between AI-powered policing and evolving civil liberties. The discussion looks at how digital surveillance tools might be used in policing and the ethical questions they raise.

Episode 4: The Problem with Data – release date: 28 October 2024

This fourth episode discusses the complexities of data management in modern policing. Topics include the collection, analysis, and security of vast amounts of data, and how it can be used effectively.

Episode 5: Driven by Change - release date: 11 November 2024

This episode examines change management within the police service. It looks at how it might adapt to technological advancements and how they can be implemented positively to stay ahead in the digital world.

Episode 6: What Remains? - release date: 25 November 2024

The final episode reflects on the journey toward 2045. It discusses what will remain unchanged despite technological evolution, what evolves and what the service will look like in the year 2045 so that the service best meets its mandate in the face of substantial digital transformation.

Confirmed Podcast platforms that will be broadcasting Thin Digital Line include: