The Independent Police Commission review, chaired for the Labour Party by Lord John Stevens, has published its report Policing for a Better Britain. Labour Party leader Ed Miliband called the review Labour’s first step in setting a new direction for policing in the 21st century.
“Neighbourhood policing was pioneered by Labour. It wasn’t just a slogan, it was a different philosophy of policing: policing rooted in local communities, doing more than reacting to crimes by also preventing them, and working in partnership with local authorities, schools and the NHS.
“So it is of profound concern to me that the independent Commission concludes that neighbourhood policing is under threat. We don’t want to see services retreating back to their silos, becoming more remote from communities.
“These are tough times and it is more important than ever that we get maximum value for money from every penny of taxpayers’ money that is spent on the key public services.
“We recognise that after the next election, a One Nation Labour government will be seeking to improve public services in tough fiscal circumstances. That is why the Commission is absolutely right to focus on the importance of savings and efficiencies. Crude salami-slicing without reform, as pursued by this government, simply stores up costs later down the line.
“This independent Commission has identified an initial £60m a year that could be saved by better procurement.
“That is cash that could be re-invested back into the front-line: saving that could mean an 500 additional police officers protecting our communities
“Over the next 12 months, we will continue to prioritise reforms that enable our police service to deliver more with less.”
ACPO President Sir Hugh Orde describe it as a ‘wide ranging report offering views on many of the critical questions facing the police in a transforming society’. He said: “It shows the increasing complexity of a service which must deliver neighbourhood policing, maintain public order, develop effective counter-terrorism structures, look after victims and adapt to new forms of crime, all with fewer resources.
“In meeting these challenges we note the Commission’s view on the importance of operational coordination between chief officers, supplied by ACPO. The enduring requirement for these leadership functions is distinct from but complementary to the new and vital role of the College of Policing in supporting standards, procedures and training. With Police and Crime Commissioners ACPO is working towards a clear framework for operational coordination for the future.”
For the full 225-page report click here.
