Constabulary told to improve way it works to keep people safe and reduce crime
REPORT: concern At Aspects OF PERFORMANCE
A REPORT into the performance of Derbyshire Constabulary has pointed to a number of areas where the force requires improvement including how it investigates crime and protects vulnerable people.
Some sections of the report have praised the force, including crime prevention and how data is recorded, but other sections were more critical.
HM Inspectorate of Constabulary officers spent time at Derbyshire Constabulary earlier this year.
They acknowledge in their report that the force has made improvements but add that more still needs to be done.
Inspectors also found a “lack of clarity” regarding the responsibility within the force’s governance.
Five areas where improvements need to be made were identified.
Among those areas, it identified that Derbyshire police failed to attend emergency calls within the pub- lished target times and also failed to inform victims when officers were late arriving.
The report said: “The number of abandoned calls to the constabulary switchboard and 101 service is above the national guidelines.”
It added that a high number of abandoned 101 calls could lead to callers dialling 999 when an emergency isn’t needed.
The findings also showed that in over half of the cases reviewed officers did not take victims’ personal statements, “depriving victims the opportunity to describe the impact that crime has had on their lives.”
They also found that the level of service victims received differs depending on which department dealt with them.
His Majesty’s Inspector of Constabulary, Roy Wilsher, said: “I recognise the current leadership’s work on improvement, but I have some concerns with aspects of the performance of Derbyshire Constabulary in keeping people safe and reducing crime. There are areas where the force still needs to improve. I do not underestimate the difficulty caused by the constabulary’s legacy issues, such as a lack of policy, governance, and performance scrutiny.
“We spoke to many staff who said they felt disconnected from the organisation and it is not proactive about wellbeing and support.
“The constabulary should improve how it manages the training and development of its workforce – staff need to know what is expected of them, to feel included and make sure the public is treated fairly.”
Responding to the report’s findings, Chief Constable Rachel Swann said: “I welcome the inspection from HMICFRS [His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services] who recognise the progress we have made and acknowledge the clear plans we have in place to get us to where we need to be.
“There are a number of areas of improvement that have been highlighted in the report, some of which we are already taking steps to progress, and others which will be delivered shortly.
“From January there will be a full implementation of a crime and intelligence directorate, which brings together resources and increases supervision to ensure a force-wide approach to improving our investigations across areas including rape and serious sexual offences, child protection and domestic abuse.”
Chief Constable Swann continued: “The inspectors from HMICFRS are confident that the leadership and processes that we have in place will address a number of the areas that they have highlighted, and I know that my officers and staff are extremely committed to serving the public of Derbyshire.
“There are already plans in place to improve our management of outstanding suspects and offenders, and we will be looking to maximise the wealth of data that we have available to us.
“We are working hard to ensure continuous improvement; and will be bolstering our frontline, focusing on local policing and taking action when calls for service are needed.”