Nominations have opened for the 2026 National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) Innovation and Digital Awards, offering forces across the country a formal mechanism to recognise officers and staff whose work in digital, data and technology has delivered demonstrable benefits for policing and the public.
The awards will be presented as part of the NPCC Innovation and Digital Summit, due to take place later this year at St George’s Hall, Liverpool. The awards are intended to acknowledge innovation that is evidence‑led, operationally relevant and aligned with the statutory duties and public service objectives of policing bodies.
Nominations are open until 31 May and will be assessed by a panel comprising representatives from the NPCC, the Office of the Police Chief Scientific Adviser, the Police Digital Service (PDS) and partner organisation techUK. Judges will consider entries against criteria including impact, scalability, collaboration and public value. Only UK based law enforcement agencies, or their teams are eligible to submit nominations.
This year’s awards span 11 categories, reflecting the breadth of digital and technological activity now embedded within policing structures. The categories are:
- Excellence in Innovation – recognising innovative approaches that have delivered clear value and measurable impact for policing and the public
- Excellence in Cyber Security – acknowledging individuals or teams who go beyond baseline requirements to protect police systems and data
- Excellence in Business Change – celebrating digitally enabled transformation that has successfully embedded new ways of working
- Excellence in Productivity and Value – highlighting initiatives that deliver demonstrable efficiencies while maintaining or improving service quality
- Excellence in Collaboration – recognising effective partnership working that reduces duplication and supports shared solutions
- Excellence in Learning and Development – rewarding those who support professional growth in digital, data and technology roles
- Digital Equity or Wellbeing Champion – honouring work that uses technology to improve inclusion, accessibility, equity or workforce wellbeing
- Innovation and Digital Ambassador – recognising individuals who lead by example and actively champion digital adoption
- Innovation and Digital Leader 2026 – acknowledging outstanding leadership in advancing science and technology within policing, regardless of rank or role
- Resilience in Innovation – recognising courage and adaptability where learning from failure has driven improvement
- Pioneer of Policing Data – celebrating vision and collaboration in the innovative use of policing data
Chief Constable Rob Carden, NPCC Lead for Digital, Data and Technology, said the awards provide an important opportunity to highlight the work of teams and individuals who are developing practical solutions to complex operational challenges. He noted that innovation in policing must be grounded in public benefit and real‑world outcomes, and that the awards seek to recognise initiatives that meet those tests.
Forces and teams submitting nominations are encouraged to clearly evidence outcomes achieved, benefits realised and opportunities for wider adoption across policing. Further details and entry forms can be found at www.pds.police.uk/welcome/blog/events/npccawards/www.pds.police.uk/welcome/blog/events/npccawards/
