No promises police IT system won’t fail again

THE failing NT Police IT system, PROMIS, will be replaced but union officials fear the beleaguered software will fail again before the upgrade is complete in four years

Sergeant Michael Fields will use a new IT system following the announcement of a $45 million upgrade. Picture: ELISE DERWIN

THE failing NT Police IT system, PROMIS, will be replaced but union officials fear the beleaguered software will fail again before the upgrade is complete in four years.

The Gunner Government has pledged $45 million over four years to replace the now 20-year-old system by integrating modern programs used by Australian police forces.

The PROMIS system crashed last year causing chaos within police ranks.

The crippling five-day failure cut the system which allowed officers to access criminal background checks.

NT Police Association president Paul McCue said police were wary of the four-year time frame to introduce the new system.

“We are asking the question what plans are in place for when the system fails between now and four years time.”

Commissioner Reece Kershaw said the ageing PROMIS system had been upgraded to ensure it survived until the upgrade was completed.

“We’ve made some hardware upgrades and we have a back up server that’s been upgraded as well to make sure we’ve breathed some life into the backup system,” he said.

“The new system will have in-built capability that if it goes offline it won’t be as serious an issue as we had with the PROMIS failure.”

Chief Minister Michael Gunner said the new yet to be named system could save an officer five hours a shift in paper work which has to be filed at a station.

“In talking to the frontline officers who have been trialling those programs, (and) we’re seeing savings of two to five hours.”