As the Director of Strategy and Innovation for UK Policing at Salesforce, I have the privilege of working with trailblazing forces across the UK and see both the brilliant work they do and the stark challenges they face. This article outlines a new and exciting era for our collaboration with police forces, beginning with a significant milestone: a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed with Humberside Police.
This agreement marks the beginning of a strategic collaboration designed to position Humberside at the forefront of modern policing by building an AI-powered service. It's an important step in our shared journey toward a more efficient, effective, and trusted police service.
Policing in the UK, a world leader in its field, faces an unprecedented confluence of challenges in an increasingly digital and demanding world. From escalating public expectations to relentless resource strain and the persistent burden of outdated systems, the need for strategic transformation has never been clearer.
Our dedicated policing team at Salesforce works across the UK and sees first-hand the critical issues forces are grappling with, as highlighted in the Salesforce Connected Government Report (2025):
In alignment with the National Policing Digital Strategy 2020-2030, we believe that strong partnerships and technological innovation are essential to meet these evolving demands.
Assistant Chief Officer Chris Philpott explains the importance of partnership:
‘We live in a fast-paced society with the majority of products and services generally available at the click of a button and it is important that we as a police force are able to adapt to the evolving landscape, leading the way on AI-driven policing to ultimately reduce crime, increase trust, and strengthen how we police.
The integration of Salesforce has been a fantastic opportunity to not only work together with multiple partners but further transform the way we communicate with members of our community.
Not only this, but it will empower officers with the forward-thinking tools to work more efficiently and engage more meaningfully with communities’.
This collaboration with Humberside Police is a tangible blueprint for how forces can proactively address these challenges. The MOU is crafted around four core principles designed to deliver tangible benefits directly relevant to policing:
Principle 1: A Shared Vision for AI-Powered Policing
The central purpose is to empower Humberside Police to leverage Salesforce's cutting-edge capabilities, becoming a leading force in AI-powered policing. This isn't about technology for its own sake; it's about delivering outstanding public service, achieving significant cost reductions, and building a robust in-house digital operating model. By automating routine administrative tasks and providing 24/7 digital support, AI will free up valuable staff time for the intricate, sensitive, and complex policing duties that demand police officer and staff judgment and empathy.
Principle 2: Commitment to Ethical AI & Data Protection
A critical aspect is the rigorous focus on data protection and ethical data handling. Both parties are committed to complying with all applicable data protection legislation. This is vital given public concerns about AI misuse and bias, and it directly supports the National Policing Digital Strategy and Government AI Strategy of scan>pilot>scale.
Principle 3: Fostering a Truly Interoperable Ecosystem
This partnership champions a truly interoperable and borderless policing environment. We encourage suppliers to follow an open API platform approach without monetising endpoints or access to policing data. In doing so, this fosters an ethical supplier community dedicated to collaborative working, prioritising the collective benefit of policing and the communities they serve, thereby enhancing seamless data flow and operational effectiveness.
Principle 4: Joint Planning for Tangible Impact
The MOU outlines specific mutual obligations, underpinned by a dynamic joint V2MOM plan (Vision, Values, Measures, and Obstacles). This structured approach ensures strategic alignment and a clear roadmap for achieving measurable outcomes. Humberside Police will build on its proven successes, such as the transformative work on its Salesforce Victim Journey and Citizen Portal, which has already improved public trust and significantly reduced failure demand on force resources.
This is what Assistant Chief Officer Chris Philpott and Salesforce’s Head of Public Sector in the UK and Ireland, Simon Collinson, have to say about the MOU:
"This partnership with Humberside Police is about more than technology — it’s about reimagining how policing can meet rising public expectations, ease resource pressures, and build trust in a digital era. Salesforce brings expertise in AI and data, and combined with Humberside’s track record of innovation and commitment to citizen experience, we have an opportunity to improve victim and witness support, enhance operational efficiency, and position Humberside as a national trailblazer in how AI supports frontline police officers — creating a blueprint for modern policing across the UK."
This strategic approach will look at how we can support the wider justice system by focusing on three strategic pillars:
For me, this collaboration is about empowering officers and staff, enhancing citizen engagement, and ultimately shaping the future of policing for the benefit of the public. By working together, we can overcome current pressures and build a police service fit for the 21st century.
To learn more about how Salesforce supports the public sector, visit our website.
For additional insights on how Salesforce helps modernise public services and boost operational efficiency with AI, explore our Resource Centre.