West Yorks Police test analytics app
West Yorkshire Police has been testing a mobile app that integrates with a command and control platform to support working with ambulance and fire brigade services as part of Project Athena, initiated by software company SAS.
The platform allows civilians to share intelligence and their experiences of a potential incident, and SAS has provided analytics to help forces determine the level of urgency, and to scan social media for deeper insights.
Authorities can also distribute information and advice through social media and send targeted warnings to app users in the vicinity, engaging citizens in a productive dialogue as incidents unfold.
The app is now at the prototype stage of development.
Stockport runs hackathon
Stockport Council is planning a hackathon on 4 March to bring professional, amateur and student digital innovators together to test ideas for digital methods to get its residents more involved in the local community.
The best ideas to emerge from the 12-hour hack will be awarded prizes, and there are hopes it could lead to the development of new apps.
Councillor David Sedgwick, executive member for reform and governance at Stockport Council said: “By engaging with our vibrant digital community we hope to draw on the enormous resource of skill and creativity that exists and harness innovative new ideas for the good of the wider Stockport community.”
Government adopts two new data standards
The Government’s Open Standards Board has adopted two new standards aimed at supporting open access to data.
One is the International Aid Transparency Initiative Standard, which supports the exchange of information on international development activities; while the other is the Open Contracting Data Standard, which structures the disclosure of data and documents at all stages of the contracting process.
The board, which approves open standards for use in UK government, made the decision at its meeting in November, according to a Government Technology blogpost.
Mark O’Neill to become DfE chief digital officer
The current director of digital and data at the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills is moving to the Department for Education (DfE) to take on the role of chief digital officer.
Mark O’Neill announced the move through his Twitter account, saying he will make the move next month.
In an earlier stint at the Government Digital Service helped to develop a ‘skunkworks’ capability for Whitehall, developing projects through small, loosely structured teams, and led the building of the Individual Electoral Registration Service.
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