West Mercia Police Sets Out Its Plans For The Future

View the Chief Constable's interview with the Shropshire Star on the new way forward for the force.West Mercia Police today announced its plans for the future of the force and gave details of the changes it is making in order to improve the policing service it provides at the same time as saving money.  The force has undertaken an extensive review of the way in which it operates and can now reveal a new internal structure that will ensure it can continue serving, protecting and making the difference in communities in Herefordshire, Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin and Worcestershire during the challenging budgetary times that lie ahead. 

The changes that take effect from this week mean that West Mercia Police now have six commands: Territorial Policing, Protective Services, Operational Support, Strategy and Legal Services, Human Resources and Corporate Services. 

"The force's new operating model will allow us to continue to deliver a high quality policing service throughout West Mercia. There will still be clearly identified senior officers responsible for local command and at the same time we will significantly restructure the ways in which we support frontline officers and staff."

Chief Constable Paul West

Alongside a range of operational improvements that are being made, such as being able to deploy officers and staff in a much more flexible way, savings of £9.8m will be achieved over three years. This will involve a reduction of 189 police staff roles and 98 police officers from various posts across the force area; largely through natural staff turnover and retirements. No police officer posts will be lost from the force's visible patrol strength; most reductions relate to fewer senior officer positions and training staff. 

These changes have arisen as a result of the force's desire to provide a greater consistency of service to its communities and the need to secure value for money from the funding that the force receives.

Commenting upon this week's changes and the future planned job losses, Chief Constable Paul West explained: "The force's new operating model will allow us to continue to deliver a high quality policing service throughout West Mercia. There will still be clearly identified senior officers responsible for local command and at the same time we will significantly restructure the ways in which we support frontline officers and staff. These changes will make West Mercia Police more streamlined and effective and will free up officers to focus upon operational policing and operational command".

"This is an important period in the force's development during which we will continue to face new challenges - not least the additional budget reductions that the Government have made clear they will be announcing later this year.  Nevertheless, I have every confidence that our new command structure and the many operational and organisational improvements that we intend to implement will bring about numerous benefits for the public.  At the same time we also need to ensure that the funds they provide us with are used in the most cost effective way possible."

Along with other forces in the West Midlands region, West Mercia is also investigating whether further savings can be achieved through enhanced levels of regional collaboration. Plans are also being developed to address the Government's forthcoming comprehensive spending review, which will be announced in the autumn. 

Sheila Blagg, Chair of West Mercia Police Authority, added: "The changes we are outlining are important and will position the force to deliver policing services effectively in a difficult economic climate. West Mercia Police enjoys a national reputation as a value for money force and a high priority has been given to protecting frontline services delivered to the 1.2 million citizens of West Mercia."  

 

Issued:  Tuesday 7 September 2010

 

Bookmark with: