Police chiefs go back to sharp end
TOP cops have spent the day on the beat and in the thick of it in Widnes and Runcorn for a back-to-the-floor initiative.
In Runcorn, Inspector Becky Stokes spent her time patrolling Castlefields with PCSOs, meeting elderly residents and schoolchildren before finishing off with the dog unit carrying out checks at licensed premises in the town centre.
Inspector Chris Adkins, of Widnes Local Policing Unit, took on a night shift with Widnes officers dealing with anti-social behaviour, domestic abuse and shoplifting.
David Bryan, head of legal services, also headed to Widnes and spent the day with the beat intelligence team.
A Cheshire police spokeswoman said the group was kept busy investigating a serious assault earlier in the week and a series of car and key burglaries.
The shift also included responding to a collision involving a lorry and a car and a visit to an elderly distraction burglary victim.
The spokeswoman said the scheme showed that serving the public is the force’s ‘top priority’.
It was the third back-tothe-floor initiative to take place.
Chief Constable Simon Byrne spent the day in a Chester custody suite, the Police And Crime Commissioner also headed to Chester to spend time with officers and
CC Byrne said: “I frequently spend time on patrol but it’s important that other senior officers and managers also have the chance to do the same.
“I was pleased to see and hear the buzz from other senior colleagues who really embraced the experience of going back to the floor.
“You can’t lead a police force from behind your desk – policing is continually developing and we need to have a full understanding of the way the organisation works to allow us to move forward and be innovative.
“This is one way that we are trying to do that.”
Mr Keane said: “As commissioner, it is crucial that I spend time with and listen to our front-line officers and staff so I can continue to understand the challenges that they face on a day-to-day basis.
“I would like to say a big thank you to the officers who spent time with me on Friday and all those who were involved in the organisation and running of the day.”
Mr Byrne added: “After the first event last year I said this was not a gimmick or a flash in the pan and that we would run this initiative again to keep the momentum going.
“I’m pleased to see that each time it has grown bigger and more people have got involved.
“It’s also great that this time round we invited some of our partners to work alongside officers for the day helping to provide them with a better understanding of the delivery of front-line policing and the way their agency contributes to that.” ●