Transforming police interviewing in Devon, Cornwall and Dorset
In 2023, Devon & Cornwall Police and Dorset Police undertook an ambitious project to modernise their police interview recording systems with Davidhorn devices, installing 115 devices in interview rooms and 32 portable units in over 60 stations. Spanning villages, towns, cities, and even remote islands, this extensive rollout across three counties has transformed their interview capabilities, overcoming geographic and logistical challenges unique to the UK’s largest police regions. Sgt Ant Moorhouse – who lead the operational delivery of the project across the Alliance, talked to us about the implementation process and how it transformed the work of Devon & Cornwall Police and Dorset Police.
Summary
- Modernising Interview Recording: In 2023, Devon & Cornwall Police and Dorset Police implemented 115 fixed devices and 32 portable units across 60 stations, overcoming challenges like historic buildings and outdated equipment.
- Improved Efficiency: The new devices reduced setup times, improved audio quality for court proceedings, and provided flexibility with portable kits—allowing officers to focus more on frontline duties.
- Looking Ahead: With positive feedback, both forces are now exploring future advancements like AI-powered transcription and redaction to further enhance productivity and service delivery.
The unique challenges of policing in Devon, Cornwall, and Dorset
Devon, Cornwall, and Dorset Police forces operate across one of the UK’s largest and most diverse geographic areas. With three counties, two police forces, and roughly 60 stations, covering this expansive territory presents distinct challenges. According to Sgt Moorhouse “Devon and Cornwall is the largest geographic force in the country. To get from one area to another can easily take hours, even using blue lights.” This extensive area, combined with a mix of urban, rural, and coastal communities, means that police response times can be stretched, and centralised resources, like custody centres, can be hours away in summertime traffic.
Adding to the complexity, both forces were previously relying on outdated technology, including older style digital recorders, DVD-burning systems, and even portable tape recorders, which limited both flexibility and audio quality. Officers often found themselves dealing with clunky devices that required excessive setup time and resulted in poor sound quality—a major frustration in court, where clear recordings are essential. These limitations underscored the need for a significant upgrade, prompting the force not only to replace the outdated equipment but also to reconsider the placement of interview units across the region for maximum efficiency and accessibility.
Implementing Davidhorn’s solution
The project to implement Davidhorn’s devices and set up interview rooms across Devon, Cornwall, and Dorset was a large-scale effort, involving complex logistics and structural challenges. However, the deployment process itself went smoothly, thanks to careful planning and regular communication with Davidhorn’s Customer Success team. Sgt Moorhouse explained, “We conducted the rollout in a structured way, starting with Exeter to identify any issues before expanding.” This phased approach allowed the team to tackle potential challenges early, ensuring they were well-prepared for the larger rollout.
Sgt Moorhouse explained that some of the police stations date back to the 1800s, making some installations a challenge. “Due to the historic buildings in some areas, we were facing questions like, can you actually drill into the wall, or is it solid granite?” Additionally, some contained asbestos that prevented any drilling, forcing the team to assess and rethink interview setups at certain locations.
These issues, while challenging, were mostly anticipated and managed effectively by the project, allowing the team to complete the installations with minimal disruption. In total, 115 fixed devices and 32 portable units were installed, transforming both force’s interviewing capabilities and providing a much-anticipated modernisation across this vast police region.
Support from Davidhorn
Throughout the implementation, Davidhorn provided ongoing support to address the unique needs of the police force. Regular weekly meetings allowed the project team to discuss any challenges, adapt the system’s interface, and fine-tune metadata entry processes. Sgt Moorhouse noted, “If there was a problem, we would just contact the customer support, and we would get help straight away.” This close collaboration helped ensure the system was tailored to the force’s requirements and made the transition to digital recording as seamless as possible.
How the new devices are making a difference
The Davidhorn devices have brought substantial improvements in efficiency and ease of use, allowing officers to focus more on frontline duties. One key benefit is the reduced setup and close-down time for interviews. Sgt Ant Moorhouse observed, “Inputting metadata on that screen takes about 30 seconds, whereas on the old system it could take several minutes.” These small-time savings accumulate quickly, especially considering the high number of interviews conducted each and every day.
Another major advancement is the portable recording kits, which provide critical flexibility in unique scenarios. For example, our Major Crime Investigation Team (MCIT) have used a portable kit to conduct an interview abroad. The team was able to record and immediately review the footage remotely, something that would have been impossible with their previous equipment. “The portable has been a real game changer with high-quality audio and video” Sgt Moorhouse explained.
The new system has also improved the quality of audio recordings, which is crucial for i.e. interviews involving interpreters. Previously, poor audio quality had led to complaints from judges and solicitors in court, but with Davidhorn’s devices, the sound quality is much clearer, even during phone-based interpretation. “The sound quality is a lot better on the Davidhorn equipment,” Sgt Moorhouse noted, meaning recordings are now dependable and suitable for court proceedings.
Furthermore, Davidhorn’s secure sharing link has simplified the process of sharing interview recordings with solicitors and other forces, eliminating the need for DVDs and reducing the risk of data breaches. “We use the sharing link for everything… it’s a win on time, but it’s also a win in terms of risk management,” Sgt Ant Moorhouse said.
Looking towards the future
With the implementation complete, Sgt Moorhouse is optimistic about the future potential of Davidhorn’s solutions. He sees advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) as a promising next step, particularly around automated redaction, statement-taking and transcription. Additionally, the feedback from officers has been overwhelmingly positive. “The kit in the stations is just so easy to use… they absolutely love its ease of use,” Sgt Moorhouse shared, adding that – last but not least – the compact design frees up valuable desk space in interview rooms.
As Devon & Cornwall Police, and Dorset Police continue to embrace digital transformation, Davidhorn’s technology is set to support them in overcoming geographic and logistical challenges, enhancing productivity, efficiency, and ultimately providing a higher standard of service to their communities.
