The Metropolitan Police has been instructed to initiate a fresh procurement process to secure a long-term technology provider for its system designed to identify officer misconduct. This directive from the Mayor's Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC) comes after a significant disagreement regarding an earlier proposed contract with the US data analytics company, Palantir.
Alongside the order for a new tender, MOPAC has granted approval for the Met to extend its current pilot programme with Palantir for a period of up to 12 months. This interim arrangement, which includes a break clause and a cost cap of £2 million, is intended to ensure the continuity of the technology while the comprehensive search for a permanent solution is underway. The Met has publicly expressed its satisfaction with this decision, stating it allows crucial work to continue.
The dispute originated last month when MOPAC refused to approve a proposed contract with Palantir, which was reportedly valued at up to £50 million. City Hall cited concerns that the Met had not adequately demonstrated value for money, having engaged seriously with only one supplier. Furthermore, MOPAC raised questions about Palantir's values and ethics, though it clarified that these concerns could not legally form the basis of the contract refusal itself.
Following MOPAC's initial block, Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley had warned that the decision could lead to job cuts, potentially affecting up to 700 roles, although this figure was not confirmed. Assistant Commissioner Rachel Williams highlighted the effectiveness of Palantir's technology, noting it allowed the Met to consolidate lawfully held data to identify potential standards, welfare, or cultural issues within the force. She added that an earlier pilot had already pinpointed several conduct issues, with a significant number now being investigated by professional standards.
The controversy has been marked by considerable confusion and disagreement between the Mayor's office and the Met leadership. Palantir, for its part, is now pursuing a judicial review of MOPAC's initial refusal to approve the contract. The company's claim challenges what it perceives as a MOPAC policy against contracting with them due to a perceived mismatch between Palantir's and 'London's values', in addition to the specific rejection of the Unified Operational Analytics programme contract.
Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has reiterated his support for the Met utilising technology to improve policing but has stated he cannot comment further due to ongoing legal proceedings. A spokesperson for Palantir affirmed their pride in their software's use by the Met to identify misconduct and expressed their determination to help the force maintain high standards.