Police force needs to improve, says study
LEICESTERSHIRE Police needs to improve how it keeps the public safe and tackle crime, according to a Government report.
Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) has given the force an overall rating of requires improvement when it comes to how efficient it is at keeping people safe and reducing crime.
HMICFRS judged that Leicestershire Police requires improvement at understanding the demands for its services, at how it uses its resources, and at planning for the future.
HM Inspector of Constabulary Zoë Billingham said: “Leicestershire Police is working hard to improve its efficiency. I am encouraged that the force has recognised that its organisational structure is causing some inefficiencies. It’s extensive change programme is designed to address this through a reorganisation of its workforce and considerable changes in how incidents and investigations are managed. I am encouraged that the force is also improving how it manages hidden demand.
“The force has a sound understanding of the operational skills of its officers and staff, although more could be done to further encourage talented people within its workforce through more formal development schemes.
“I am pleased that the force works in strong and close collaboration with neighbouring police forces across the region and works well with other local agencies, like local councils and other emergency services. The force has rolled out mobile devices to all frontline officers and staff. This initiative will help to improve the efficiency of the workforce, and support the provision of a better service to the public.
“The force’s finances are stable and it has consistently met savings targets. The force will need to plan carefully to achieve a sustainable financial position for the future, while meeting increasing demand. I am confident that the chief constable and his chief officer team will continue to move the force in the right direction over the coming year.”
HMI Mike Cunningham, who led the inspection, said:“We recognise the pressures forces are facing are increasingly complex. The speed with which forces can improve efficiency relies on the continued resilience, adaptability and commitment of those working in policing. From speaking to staff and officers throughout every police force in England and Wales, we can see that policing is under significant stress.”
Leicestershire Police responded, saying an extensive programme of organisational change within Leicestershire Police aimed at improving services to the public was highlighted in the report.
The force said codenamed Darwin, the change programme is introducing changes aimed at making service delivery improvements across the board, including ”locating teams closer to areas of high demand and improving how calls for service are allocated to specialists”.
It says Darwin is also helping to reduce the number of non-emergency 101 telephone calls which are abandoned, and to enable the force to better understand the nature of all demand for service.
Chief Constable Simon Cole said: “Policing is a fast-moving and dynamic environment, and we need to continually change to meet evolving public demand and expectation, the increasing complexity of demand, and the changing profile of crime.
“To do that, and to deliver the best possible service we can with diminished budgets and resources, we need to adapt our approach and structures, deploying resources in a truly responsive way, and Project Darwin is helping us to do that.
“Whilst it is disappointing to receive an overall grading of “requires Improvement” from HMICFRS, it’s good that the work underway to enhance performance is acknowledged in this report.”