Greater Manchester Police will replace its failing computer system in 2027 — eight years after problems first emerged.

Cops have battled the 'frightening' PoliceWorks element of the force's iOPS computer system since summer 2019, with complaints about the £27 million software emerging just weeks after it was rolled-out.

Officers slammed it at the time, saying they 'cannot do our jobs', and they were 'fearful for colleagues and the public'. Shortly after, then-Chief Constable Ian Hopkins defended the system.

However, when GMP was placed in special measures in December 2020, inspectors found PoliceWorks had failed to record 80,000 crimes over a 12 month period.

Mr Hopkins was ordered to resign by mayor Andy Burnham at that point, and new chief constable Sir Stephen Watson said in March 2022 iOPS would be replaced as he began to turn the force around. 

Inspectors now say GMP is mostly 'adequate', with several 'good' areas, but needs to improve how it 'manages offenders and suspects'.

GMP's headquarters (Image - Wikimedia Commons)

Initially, it was hoped GMP would be using a new system by this year, and the deputy mayor and GMP have now named the date when a replacement is expected to be introduced.

However, it looks like Sir Stephen's officers will be stuck with iOPS for five years after he pulled the plug.

A force spokesperson 'confirmed a new record management system (RMS) has been chosen to replace GMP's current RMS, PoliceWorks' on Monday (September 22) that 'will go live in spring 2027'.

The spokesperson's comments came after deputy mayor for policing, Kate Green, explained why there has been such a delay in changing systems.

She revealed a £726,000 'procurement process' in 2022 and 2023 failed to find a new IT supplier, and a second process launched last spring is set to conclude shortly.

"We have had a very long wait for the replacement," she told the GMCA's police, fire, and crime panel on Monday (September 22). 

"It's been a process that has taken longer than anticipated. I make no apology for going through the process to get the product that's best for Greater Manchester.

"We cannot afford to get this wrong again, there's a huge credibility issue."

Police seen patrolling in Stockport town centre (Image - GMP)

Although a contract with 'preferred bidder' Mark43 has yet to be signed, Ms Green gave an estimated timeline for PoliceWorks' replacement.

She added: "One comment I would make is because of the time we have taken to get this right, it will launch later than we would have hoped. We envisage it will come into effect in early 2027."

After the meeting, a GMP spokesperson added: "This follows a stringent procurement process and forms ongoing efforts to ensure GMP's IT systems across the force can effectively support GMP's operational needs and improve overall effectiveness.

"The recommendation to procure Mark43 has been endorsed by GMP's Chief Constable, Sir Stephen Watson and the deputy mayor, Kate Green, and the force will now move to finalise contracts.

"It is anticipated the Mark43 RMS system will go live in spring 2027, after significant work to ensure the new RMS is aligned and configured to GMP requirements. Crucial to this is the insight from GMP officers and staff, who understand the needs required of a records management system to effectively run our day-to-day policing operations."

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