E-Policing as a Service: The Way Forward in Zambia

Abstract

E-policing as a service is a newly extended research concept of e-policing. It strikes a balance on cloud computing or mobile cloud computing concepts and applied policing strategies in matters of public security. The recent past has witnessed extensive expansion in broadband networks and mobile technology, resulting in an unmatched degree of connectivity for ordinary citizens across the world. However, the electronic collection, storage and sharing of complaints and information between public and the Police is still a major challenge in Zambia. A qualitative research study was conducted through analysis of data obtained from unstructured interviews, observations and focus group guided by initial conceptual literature review. The research revealed that, there was no effective inter-operable communication channel between the Police and the citizens for sharing information, no specific policing strategy to optimize use of technology to enhance cooperation, and lack of institutional capacity to deal with matters of change management in digitalization process of the Zambia police systems and procedures. Therefore; to provide a cost effective communication channel for enhanced information collection, storage and information sharing from paper based system to electronic system , a generic text e-messaging application was designed using unified modeling language (UML) and then developed using object oriented language namely Java. To optimize use of existing public ICT and Telecommunication infrastructure, concepts on cloud computing, Open Service Architecture (OSA) and Intelligent Network (IN) were utilized through key technological features of divorced or independent business service logic from Network Control in respect to telecommunication infrastructure. Lastly, recommendations on factors that confront e-Policing adoption and implementation are discussed. Therefore, accessibility to police service and other factors such a building services around citizen choices, provision for social inclusion, and making better use of information from a centralized database system the way forward in Zambia. KEY WORDS: Electronic policing, Policing strategies, Information sharing, Cloud computing, OSA, Generic application.