The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) and the Metropolitan Police Authority (MPA) have signed a contract with Steria to improve Human Resources (HR) services.

The system will create a new HR Service Centre in London where the Met's 55,000 employees can obtain HR advice and guidance through a single telephone number and email address.

The centre will also create a self-service system by providing relevant information on an intranet.

The MPS hopes the system will generate savings that can be transferred to improve resources for frontline policing.

“The HR requirements of the MPS are different to those of other organisations," said Martin Tiplady, HR director, Metropolitan Police Service.

The contract includes support services for two years after the service has gone live.

The programme will go live in Autumn 2000.