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Back to Events

The tech-enabled force: Innovation, ethics & operational challenges

date/time: 12 May 2026, 09:30 - 16:30
Location: DWF, 20 Fenchurch Street, London
Conference

Join DWF and senior police leaders for an insightful and practical day examining how forces, commercial partners and legal advisers can respond to changes.

Event details

As policing undergoes its most significant reform in a generation, technology, data and digital capability sit at the heart of the New Model for Policing and the ambition to deliver a more effective, trusted and nationally aligned policing system. At the same time, forces are operating within an increasingly complex national digital landscape and evolving legal and ethical expectations around emerging technologies.

Join DWF and senior police leaders for an insightful and practical day examining how forces, commercial partners and legal advisers can respond to these changes, harness innovation responsibly and align local operational delivery with national strategic direction.

The event will examine how technology, national digital programmes and AI are shaping policing and legal services including procurement, governance and the legal and ethical risks of data driven tools.

As a key panel member of the NLSF Framework, senior members of DWF’s Police, Care & Justice and Commercial teams will facilitate the day, drawing on deep operational, legal, and commercial expertise. The programme has been designed to encourage open discussion and informed debate.

The day will include an informal networking lunch providing an opportunity to connect with senior officers, legal experts and commercial partners, and conclude with drinks and further networking.  

Register

Programme & speakers

Tuesday 12th May | 09:30 - 16:30 | DWF, London

Welcome and introduction: 

Jenny Leonard OBE, Director, DWF and former Director of Operational Policing Law at the Metropolitan Police

Opening address: Strategic direction & operational challenges

Technology, digital transformation and the evolving national operating model

Chris Todd, Chief Constable of Humberside Police

Legal session: Responsible AI - ethics, boundaries, contracts & privilege

Legal frameworks, accountability, practical applications and boundaries

Ben McLeod, Partner and Adrian Davies, Senior Associate, DWF

Facial recognition: Technology, legal developments & human rights

Operational deployment within a nationally scrutinised legal and ethical environment

Rex Nicholls, Head of Counter Terrorism and Serious Crime (Legal), the Metropolitan Police

Panel Discussion: Aligning local innovation with national priorities, platforms and standards

Digital & social media policing

Freedom of expression, police officer misuse of messaging apps, evidence and public confidence in a digital-first policing landscape

Nick Yeo KC, 3 Raymond Buildings

Breakout session options:

1. Procurement deep dive: Navigating procurement in a more nationally co-ordinated policing system

Colin Murray, Partner, Ed Williams, Partner, and Simon Harris, Senior Associate, DWF

2. The AI landscape: Future trends and implications for policing and legal practice

Simon Murray, Head of Digital and Business Services, DWF

Closing remarks

Jenny Leonard OBE, Director, DWF and former Director of Operational Policing Law at the Metropolitan Police

Register

To secure your place, please register your details.

If you are unable to join us in London, we are considering running the session again in Leeds later in the year. Register your interest by 31 March >