PCVC uses innovative online technology to understand the views of the community

The Office of Durham Police, Crime & Victims’ Commissioner (ODPCVC) are working with American company Elucd to use innovative technology to improve engagement and understand what the communities across County Durham and Darlington are in relation to policing.

They are the first organisation in Europe to partner with Elucd.  The technology uses surveys, through ad space on social media platforms to broaden community engagement, innovative algorithms to ensure that the data collected is from across the community.  This in turn is then used to address the top concerns within communities, and can reveal trends.  The company have a strong history of working with policing organisations across the word, including the New York City Police Department.

Acting PCVC Steve White said:  “The ODPCVC has a responsibility to seek the views of the community on policing across County Durham and Darlington.  This partnership has enabled a fantastic opportunity to receive feedback in large numbers across our force area, something we have struggled to do in the past.  Often when it comes to seeking the public view on policing, it is the same voices, or the voices who shout the loudest which are heard.  This technology enables us to have an understanding of the views across the whole community.”

“Every year the ODPCVC has to undertake a consultation on the amount of money which the public will pay for policing services through their council tax - the police element of the precept.  This year we utilised this new technology and we increased the response rate by over 440%, it surpassed our expectations.”

“Whilst this technology will not replace the essential face to face engagement we do within our communities, it does however provide fantastic information which will help me to hold the force to account, especially at this time when we are not able to undertake face to face engagement.  If you see you the survey I encourage you to complete it as your views are valued and needed.”

The ODPCVC want to reassure people that if they see an ad for the survey, it is not a scam, it is a genuine survey on behalf of the Police, Crime and Victims Commissioner.

“It’s incredibly encouraging to see the County of Durham leading the way in the UK to find new ways to better engage with their community in an inclusive and very intentional way,” said Michael Simon, CEO of Elucd. “The Durham Police, Crime and Victims’ Commissioner has shown itself to be deeply committed to positive progress with their implementation of this technology and it has certainly already begun to pay off. As we’ve seen with other departments around the world, this data has sparked important conversations that will only strengthen vital trust between police and their communities.”

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