NPCC welcomes first lead for artificial intelligence; Force leads for race action plan come together

Every weekday morning we bring you the sector’s freshest news stories, starting today with the announcement of the first-ever policing lead for Artificial Intelligence (AI), a ground-breaking role that’s been filled by Temporary Chief Constable Alex Murray, who also leads West Mercia Police.

There’s also a story on a recent conference that saw nearly 70 leaders working on the Police Race Action Plan in forces across the country come together to share the work going on to make policing anti-racist.

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NPCC welcomes first lead for artificial intelligence

The first-ever policing lead for Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been appointed by the National Police Chiefs’ Council.

Temporary Chief Constable Alex Murray, who also leads West Mercia Police, took up the ground-breaking role earlier this month. More via Emergency Services Times

HM Inspector Wendy Williams leaves HMICFRS

His Majesty’s Inspector of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services, Wendy Williams, has announced that she will shortly leave the inspectorate, which she joined in 2015.

Williams said she looked forward to the inspectorate continue to have a positive impact on making communities safer. More via HMICFRS

Police Digital Service and West Yorkshire Police pilot new process to safeguard victims

West Yorkshire Police has teamed up with the Police Digital Service (PDS) to develop an innovative approach to tackling domestic abuse.

A key part of the approach is the new Domestic Violence Protection Notice (DVPN), a fully digital end to end process which replaces an amalgam of word documents, email and word of mouth. More via Emergency Services Times

Bystander CPR key to improving cardiac arrest survival rates – report

The use of a defibrillator on cardiac arrest patients, prior to the arrival of ambulance crews, is vital in improving cardiac arrest survival rates, a report published by South East Coast Ambulance Service (SECAmb) shows.

The report reveals that if a defibrillator is used prior to its arrival, the average time to shock a patient is more than four minutes quicker than when the first shock is delivered by ambulance teams. More via SECAmb

IOPC launches investigation into Lancashire Police road traffic colision in Blackpool

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has announced that it is carrying out an independent investigation into the involvement of Lancashire Police prior to a road traffic collision in Blackpool at around on Saturday 30 March.

The IOPC says it was notified by the force shortly after the collision at the junction of Park Road and Condor Grove and that its investigators have begun to gather information which has been collected from the scene, including street CCTV and police vehicle data. More via IOPC

Force leads for race action plan come together

Nearly 70 leaders working on the Police Race Action Plan in forces across the country have come together to share the work going on to make policing anti-racist.

The conference at the College of Policing on 27 March brought together those leading work locally on the flagship national plan to address racism and bias in the service. More via NPCC

Essex fire service introduces ‘top-up’ training for electric vehicle fires

Each year, Essex Fire and Rescue Service focuses on one area of “top-up” training for its crews. In recent years, this has included sessions on firefighting at height and managing hazardous materials. This year, a new course is being introduced: How to deal with electric vehicle fires. More via BBC News

New Deputy Commissioner for London Fire Brigade

London Fire Brigade has announced that Assistant Commissioner Charlie Pugsley is its new Deputy Commissioner, taking on the role after the recent retirement of Dom Ellis.

With 28 years’ experience in London Fire Brigade, Charlie has worked in many roles over the years with a big focus on fire investigation – he is the National Fire Chiefs Council lead for FI as well as electrical fire safety where the Brigade is leading the way with its #ChargeSafe campaign. More via Emergency Services Times