In Germany, the ambitious IT project known as Police 2020, initiated to modernize, digitalize, and unify the fragmented IT architecture of the police forces, is reportedly making slow but steady progress. This update comes in response to questions presented by The Left party in the Bundestag to the federal government concerning the ongoing developments. Initially proposed and agreed upon by the country's Interior Ministers in 2016, the project had faced numerous delays and setbacks. However, as of now, the project is said to be in the 'implementation phase', following the completion of its conceptual phase.

According to the Federal Ministry of the Interior (BMI), the overall program includes eleven dedicated teams working in an agile development framework known as 'Release Trains'. These teams are focusing on 42 projects crucial for the advancement of the planned data ecosystem, referred to as DHÖS. Within this ecosystem, significant components include projects regarding Identity- and Access-Management, intended for access control and logging.

Key Components and Implementation

One critical segment of the ongoing work involves 'RT Analytics', tasked with developing cloud capabilities, Open Source Intelligence tools, policing voice identification systems, and AI-based solutions to detect representations of child sexual abuse.

Moreover, the project is positioning itself to harness in-house capabilities for big data analysis, intended as an alternative to the Palantir model of data analysis. These developments are expected to produce results not before 2025, with ongoing deliberations about the extent of artificial intelligence use.

Current Achievements and Future Goals

2023 marked a significant milestone with the completion of the initial data house, iDH, as planned. The focus for 2024 will shift towards its expansion, aimed at creating a comprehensive data management system for handling police procedures. This pivotal data system is anticipated to become operational ahead of schedule.

However, challenges persist, primarily regarding meeting high-performance demands while maintaining a diverse technological base reliant on open-source products.

Hurdles and Delays

While progress is evident, certain components, such as the Polizei Informations- und Analyseverbund (PIAV), are experiencing delays. Initially slated for mid-2025 completion, phases five through seven, crucial for combating various types of crimes such as drug-related offences and corruption, are now expected to be operational by March 2026.

The ongoing development of the Police 2020 project remains a complex yet crucial endeavor, striving towards enhanced policing capabilities through technological transformation.

This article was inspired by coverage from Heise Online.