LONDON, Aug. 4, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Lockheed Martin UK will lead the introduction of a new command and control system for the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) under a new £90 million contract signed in London today. Teamed with Capita and KPMG, the London-based company will undertake the force's first major refresh of the command and control system in 30 years.

In a partnership with MPS that is set to span up to 17 years, software engineers from Lockheed Martin's operations in London will integrate the functions required to provide the Met Police with a command and control system that ensures 999 and non-emergency calls are answered efficiently and officers deployed effectively. 

The programme will ensure that the UK's largest police force is enabled for multi channel public interaction delivering improved situational awareness, predictive analytics and data sharing, including through voice, text, application and social media.

Richard Thwaite, Interim Director of Digital Policing, said: "The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) is pleased to sign a contract with Lockheed Martin."

"The changes we are making in the way the MPS uses technology are extremely challenging but they present fantastic opportunities both to deliver more for our officers and the people of London. We look forward to working with our current and new partners to develop our new command and control service."

In addition to British expertise from Lockheed Martin and its partners, the MPS team will have the ability to reach out to a global software engineering resource which is already delivering critical citizen services globally and providing real-time support to more than 18,000 law enforcement agencies worldwide, thus reducing risk.

Speaking at the contract signing today, Stephen Ball, chief executive Lockheed Martin UK said: "Our UK workforce already delivers IT systems which protect and enhance our national industry, critical infrastructure and justice systems, enable NATS to navigate more than two million commercial flights safely across UK skies each year and ensure Royal Mail can reliably deliver more than fifty million items to our homes and office each day.

'We look forward to providing greater situational awareness for 31,000 police officers which will improve operational capabilities and their ability to interact more effectively with the public.'

Stephen Greenhalgh, Deputy Mayor for Policing & Crime commented: "The huge demand placed on the Met Police warrants this investment in a modern command and control system so the police can deploy more effectively and provide a better service to Londoners. The system being implemented by Lockheed Martin will give the Met an upgraded capability that will help officers and staff handle all types of calls for service from the public. It will serve London well as the city continues to grow in the years ahead."

Today, the Metropolitan Police Service employs 31,004 officers, 11,802 police staff, 1,124 Safer Transport Command staff, 1,961 Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) as well as being supported by over 4,185 volunteer police officers in the Metropolitan Special Constabulary (MSC) and its Employer Supported Policing (ESP) programme. The Metropolitan Police Services covers an area of 620 square miles and a population of 7.2 million.

Lockheed Martin UK, headquartered in London, is the UK-based arm of Lockheed Martin Corporation, a global security and aerospace company. Lockheed Martin UK specialises in the development, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The company employs more than 3,000 people in the UK across 20 sites, working on a wide range of major programmes spanning the aerospace, defence and civil sectors.

For additional information, visit our website:
http://www.lockheedmartin.co.uk

Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110419/PH85737LOGO-b

SOURCE Lockheed Martin