The Metropolitan Police appears to be stuck with its decades old command and control system which was due to be upgraded, after allegations the providers up their price.
The Met has been forced to sign a three year extension with its current provider Unisys, according to Computer Weekly. This comes having previously gone out to tender in 2011, with Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman emerging victorious in 2013 to conduct the system’s first major overhaul in 30 years.
The report indicated the Northrop Grumman, who were making the critical Command Point software, may have been having problems customising the software.
A source told CBR that the Lockheed Martin contract, thought to be worth £90m had not been cancelled, and that it was continuing to work with the Met. Part of its role was overseeing Capita and KPMG, who were acting as suppliers. The firm is said to be recruiting a project manager to get the project back on track.
A spokesman for Lockheed Martin said: "Although delays with some elements of the programme have impacted upon Lockheed Martin’s role as the system integrator, we have been working closely with the Metropolitan Police and its suppliers to find solutions that will enable a successful integration at the earliest possible opportunity."
A Met spokesperson said that it is "is understood by all involved and our suppliers are capable of ensuring a successful integration to the Met IT infrastructure".
The Command and Control centre deals with incoming calls and dispatching police offices. Its upgrade was part of the Met’s Total Technology IT strategy.
