Police Given Guidelines about new COVID-19 App

Yesterday figures were released that over a million people have died in response to the corona virus. Due to this disturbing figure what has been implemented to help stop the spread of this deadly disease?

 

NHS COVID-19 was launched last Thursday 24th September. Since it’s launch it has been downloaded more than 12 million times. 

 

The app enables contact- tracing and offers a way for users to scan codes when they enter a building to log they were there, as well as a means to check if they have symptoms of the coronavirus and to order a test.

 

Everyone has access to this. This does though, however exclude police officers. 

 

According to The National Police Chiefs Council they have been told not to download the app to their phone.  To avoid confusion officers have been asked to avoid self isolate alerts channelled through the app.

 

The Lancashire Constabulary have told staff they must call the force’s own COVID-19 helpline instead. This advice was directed to police officers for strict security reasons. 

 

Despite this, a Lancashire Constabulary spokesperson has relaxed some measures for those who wish to use the app, 

 

"Members of staff, like all members of the public, are personally able to download the Track and Trace application should they choose to do so. Guidance provided to staff within the workplace remains in line with the national NPCC position."

 

Concerns were previously raised about officers sharing information with human contact tracers on the grounds it could compromise undercover work and other sensitive operations. The app though protects the user and maintains strict confidentiality, so this should not be an issue. 

 

The Lancashire Constabulary asks  officers to use it away from the work environment, 

 

"It is important that we have confidence that the NHS app will work for officers and staff consistently across the country, and it is for this reason that we have recommended that officers and staff download the app to their personal, as opposed to work devices, rather than any suggestion of security implications."

 

The National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) has confirmed officers are being told not to install the NHS Covid-19 app on their work smartphones.

 

^Alex Ashworth CCG UK Blogger