Ian Whitehead | Read the latest blogs, news and views from Infomentum.

The British model of policing has always rested on a delicate balance: local accountability, national legitimacy, and public consent. The Government’s proposal to create a National Police Service is the most radical attempt in a generation to rebalance that system for a digital age.

Having witnessed three decades of change in the police service, and as a retired senior officer, at first glance, the Home Office’s White Paper, From Local to National: A New Model for Policing, is about structures - fewer forces, clearer leadership, stronger central coordination.

This year’s HMICFRS State of Policing Report, published in September, raises several important issues that caught my attention. For those who haven't caught up yet, the report highlights the significant pressure forces continue to operate under, with growing demand and legacy systems limiting their ability to respond effectively.

Technology modernisation has become a constant drumbeat across the public sector - and for good reason. The opportunities offered by modern, integrated systems are clear: better data access, streamlined processes, and more responsive public services.

In my most recent article about embracing disruptor technology, I touched on how trust is central to policing, and equally essential to every technology partnership that supports it. The same principle applies here. Without trust, even the most ambitious transformation efforts are unlikely to succeed.