Police force LEAPs into database future

After Brexit, UK police forces lost access to the Schengen Information System (SIS II). They returned to using INTERPOL’s I 24/7 database, which they accessed either through the National Crime Agency (NCA) or an existing desktop system. This limited their capability to run criminal, missing person, and persons of interest searches on EU citizens while away from the station.

From April 2024, police forces were required to provide frontline officers with mobile access to key data from I 24/7 via the International Law Enforcement Alerts Platform, or I-LEAP. This would deliver mobile access to names, vehicle details and selected documents—making it quicker and easier for officers to conduct roadside and other remote checks.

“I-LEAP adoption was reasonably straightforward for forces with mobile-enabled Police National Computer search capabilities,” explains Head of Change, Nicholas Clarke at Warwickshire Police. “All they had to do was integrate it into their systems and processes and carry on as normal.”

He continues, “But Warwickshire Police didn’t have these capabilities. So, as the deadline approached, officers continued to radio the control room and request I-24/7 searches. There were a lot of steps to the process, so it could take a few minutes to get the necessary information.”

To buy or to build?

Nicholas Clarke admits this was not ideal: “At the end of the day, we knew we would either have to buy a solution to provide officers with direct, real-time mobile I-LEAP access or build one ourselves. And, since a third-party solution would have cost hundreds of thousands of pounds, it made more financial and operational sense to build it ourselves.”

To give further context to the decision, it’s worth taking a step back and looking at Warwickshire Police’s approach to technology: “We’re the UK’s smallest county force,” explains Nicholas Clarke. “That can present some challenges, but it also allows us to be more agile and innovate faster than some larger forces.”

“We have a mature technology change programme and our own in-house PowerApp developer team,” he comments, “We were already very much invested in Microsoft’s ecosystem and had built several PowerApps when the I-LEAP directive was announced. Plus, we already had a long-standing relationship with Node4 to supply IT consultancy and third-party tech support.”

A shared vision and close collaboration

Taking these points into consideration, it made sense for Node4 and Warwickshire Police to design and develop a Power App that could put I-24/7 data directly into the hands of frontline officers. “We worked closely together and Node4’s team became part of our own development team. It was always a two-way conversation, with Node4 on hand to answer queries and guide us during the testing and roll-out stages,” Nicholas Clarke comments.

He continues: “There were many instances where it was easier for us if Node4 could demo new app functionality in person rather than try to explain it in an email or on a Teams call. Node4’s team always obliged and made the time to visit us on-site. This kept the project on track and prevented potential misunderstandings. Now that our I-LEAP app has been rolled out, Node4 provides round-the-clock support when needed.”

The I-LEAP Search Application—a unique Microsoft PowerApp use case

Nicolas Clarke recalls that the entire app development approach was unique and groundbreaking. Warwickshire Police I-LEAP Search Application is the first to use Microsoft’s PowerApps platform and the first designed specifically for mobile devices. With further development, it could also include PNC and Athena search capabilities. “Police forces don’t usually work with IT suppliers to design an app from the ground up and contribute directly to configuration and integration, but we collaborated on every detail,” he explains.

Nicholas Clarke continues: “It was important to us that the app could operate in any circumstances and in combination with the rugged protection given to police devices. So, the text scales automatically depending on screen size. The text size is also manually adjustable, making it easier to use if the officer is wearing gloves or if the device has a screen protector.”

A template for other UK Police Forces

“The project has been a success because we all shared the same vision and purpose,” Nicholas Clarke notes. “The I-LEAP Search Application is fast, and the search results are almost instant. It’s easy and intuitive to use, with a look and feel resembling standard website navigation. All information links are clickable, so officers can drill down into the data and fully appraise themselves of the situation. As you might expect, it also meets required security standards, although I can’t go into too much detail here for obvious reasons.”

“I think we’ve created something new and unique that could also benefit other police forces,” Nicholas Clarke comments. “But it’s important for anyone considering going down this route to check their Power App and Azure licenses and associated costs.”

He concludes: “Our solution uses a broader Microsoft infrastructure that does come at a cost—but it made sense for us given our previous investment in the PowerApps platform and Microsoft infrastructure. If those conditions are met, then I could definitely see the I-LEAP Search Application being templated and rolled out to other police forces.”