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FORMTEXT ????? FORMTEXT ????? 11 November 2018 Mr Cliff Filer,DirectorNiche Business Development AustraliaDear Cliff,The South Australia Police are happy to provide Niche this reference.The South Australia Police comprises of approximately 6000 staff which includes nearly 4700 sworn officers. The South Australia Police has an existing integrated justice information system (IJIS) which is connected with other justice agencies such as the Courts Administration Authority, Office of the Director of Public Prosecution and Department for Correctional Services. In addition, SAPOL exchanges information with the Department of Transport, Planning and Infrastructure and Department of Health Services along with National Agencies (ie ACIC, NAFIS etc.) The integrated justice information system is nearly 30 years old and is becoming increasingly more expensive to maintain.In 2010, South Australia Police (SAPOL), in response to the need to identify a solution to support new legislation, the Serious & Organised Crime Control Act 2008 (SOCCA) and meet the longer term need to replace SAPOLs legacy systems, completed a worldwide environmental scan to determine if there was a suitable ‘commercial off the shelf’ (COTS) operational Police Records Management System.After an extensive evaluation and procurement process, SAPOL procured a COTS software product known as the Niche RMS (Niche Record Management System) which is developed and owned by a Canadian company, Niche Technology Inc.The Niche RMS is an integrated police records management system and can manage all aspects of crime recording, investigation, intelligence management, custody management, property management and case preparation.SAPOLs Niche RMS system and associated program of work required to implement the Niche RMS is known internal to SAPOL as Program Shield. Program Shield has been divided into several stages to incrementally replace legacy systems.Shield Stage 1 related to the implementation of Custody Management and Intelligence products to support the Serious and Organised Crime Control Act 2008.In October 2013, ‘Stage 1 – release 1’ comprising of the electronic Custody Management component went into production in the metropolitan Local Service Areas.In July 2014, ‘Stage 1 – release 2’ comprising of the Custody Management component was released in regional LSAs along with the Criminal Intelligence component to support the SOCCA across the State.The remaining functionality has been bundled into Stages 2 to 4 because the actual implementation of the remaining functionality is dependent on understanding the complexity of the legacy systems and determining the logical order to dismantle them.In September 2015, ‘Stage 2 - release 1’ implemented functionality to support the reporting of Missing Persons events and subsequent investigations.In November 2016, ‘Stage 2 – release 2’ implemented functionality to support the reporting of Vehicle Collisions and an upgrade of the Niche RMS system user interface.During this release SAPOL adopted the Niche RMS new user interface developed to work on a wide range of desktop and mobile devices. In essence, Niche Technology Inc, predicted and catered for the market direction and demand for law enforcement agencies to be mobile.The next Shield release, Stage 2 – release 3’ is scheduled for 14 November 2018 and involves the implementation of Occurrence reporting, which will encompass SAPOL’s Police Information Reporting, Investigation Management and Apprehension Reporting functionality. Stage 3 is scheduled for release in October 2019 and will consist of Property Management. Stage 4 predominantly relates to Prosecution activities and integration with the Courts and Office of Director of Public Prosecution.The Niche RMS is a proven law enforcement operation records management system which is installed in some of the largest policing agencies throughout the world including the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Service, New York Police Department, Queensland Police Service and Police Service in Northern Ireland.Niche Technology Inc., have a proven ability to support Agencies with their implementation of the application and provide assistance with requirement specification / clarification, configuration, development and installation. Niche Technology Inc., project managers work collaboratively with Agencies throughout the entire software development / configuration lifecycle.For the South Australia Police, due to the unique integrated criminal justice information system requirements, the complexity with unique person identification throughout the Agencies required complex discussions and understanding to derive a ‘golden nominal’ principled approach. Niche were active participants in these discussions.The South Australia Police relationship with Niche Technology is more of partnership and collaboration rather than client / vendor contractual relationship. Niche Technology Inc., have assisted with the development of specific functionality to support the counting of criminal associations per legislative requirements of the SOCCA and, upon SAPOL’s request, developed enhanced capability in the Custody Management component for more effective detainee management. This enhanced functionality has now been adopted by Queensland Police Service and other overseas jurisdictions.SAPOL’s criminal justice network, as mentioned previously, is essential for information exchange. Niche Technology Inc., have assisted SAPOL in the development of API’s to assist with these integration requirements. Further, SAPOL are actively consulting with Niche to utilise Niche’s proven solution for integration with SAPOLs Computer Aided Despatch system. This integration will automate the creation of Occurrences at first point of contact with the public and create further efficiencies for SAPOLs first responders.SAPOL has also heavily relied on Niche Technology Inc., to develop scripts and provide guidance with approach to data conversion and functional release activities. During SAPOL’s next release on 14 November 2018, over 4.6 million records will be migrated from legacy systems into the Shield (Niche RMS) application which was original estimated to take 36 hours however, with Niche’s assistance, this has been reduced to 11 hours meaning the system outage will be dramatically reduced and having less of an impact to frontline officers.Niche Technology Inc., have, in terms of configuration and development of the Niche RMS, consistently met Project timelines. Niche has also been responsive to high priority defects both from a project and production perspective. Mr John Bottomley, Niche Technology Inc., only Australian representative and Project Manager is very well supported by other Niche Project Managers around the world and the Niche developers. SAPOL is very satisfied with the services provided by Mr Bottomley.SAPOL has, on several occasions, had in depth conversations with Niche Technology Inc., with respect to the User Interface of the Niche RMS and provided several suggestions for improvement. Niche Technology Inc., have been receptive of this feedback and have been actively working with SAPOL in the development of a User Interface that is more ‘form’ based to complement SAPOL’s decentralized data entry model. This new User Interface, known as the Universal Application, will be implemented within SAPOL in the next release (14/11/2018). Both parties recognise there is further work to be completed in this space. Niche Technology Inc., have always been receptive of suggestions for improving their product, and then providing those enhancements to Niche Technology Inc. clients free of charge. A fantastic benefit which their competitor does not offer.As mentioned, SAPOL are very happy with Niche Technology Inc., and look forward to a long term partnership with them. SAPOL has no hesitation is highly recommending Niche Technology Inc. to other law enforcement agencies.Should you have any questions please feel free to contact me, Mr Garry Dickie on 732 23700 (garry.dickie@police..au) or Superintendent Scott Allison, Manager Innovation and Solutions Branch, on 732 23058 (scott.allison@police..au). Garry DickieDirector,Information Systems and TechnologySouth Australia Police11 November 2018 ................
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