Page 15 - WMPF Federation Aug-Sept 2017

Chief calls for

re-investment

in policing

he Chief Constable is calling for a
re-investment in policing, admitting
Tthat protecting the region’s
communities from terrorism was putting
officers – and their families – under a huge
strain.
Dave Thompson also welcomed the fact
Police workforce, as at 31 March that after the terrorist atrocities in London
2017, England and Wales and Manchester policing became a serious
political issue.
Worker type 2016 2017 Percentage “However a wider issue, which seems
change (%) obvious to us all in policing, is that people
Police officers 124,066 123,142 -0.7 grasped the vital role of policing in national
security and are gravely concerned about Chief Constable Dave Thompson.
Police staff 61,668 61,063 -1.0 cuts to policing in a way we have not seen so chief constables need to tackle the threats
PCSOs 11,043 10,213 -7.5 far,” Mr Thompson wrote in a blog. they face.
“In my view Government has not He writes: “If we are to sustain the
Designated accepted this and continues to see policing protection citizens want and need, police
officers 4,13 4,255 3.0
as an area where selected funding for leaders need to continue to reform, look
Special Constables 15,996 13,503 -15.6 activities like counter terrorism policing will hard at what needs to be done differently,
be enough. and be bold and innovative in rising to the
“Policing has been funded less favourably challenge. But we also need to work
Change in 12 months Change in 6 months than the security and intelligence services constructively with the new Government on
Mar-16 - Mar-17 Sep-16 - Mar-17 and this does not match the new threats we what is needed from police funding to tackle
Number % Number % face. The public now feel this is not sensible the threats we face.”
or defensible in our new reality. He sets out three key areas for
West Midlands 11,518 11,437 11,272 -246 -2.1 -165 -1.4 “It is time for the Government to address consideration:
this and both as your Chief and the national l The funding forces receive needs to be
Staffordshire 1,660 1,611 1,626 -34 -2.1 14 0.9
lead for finance (for the National Police stabilised with real terms protection for
Warwickshire 836 853 835 0 0.0 -18 -2.1 Chiefs’ Council) I shall be pushing for action.” policing as a whole
The Chief Constable praised officers for l The money forces have can be spent
West Mercia 2,079 2,093 2,055 -24 -1.1 -38 -1.8
the way in which they had responded to the more effectively with chiefs and PCCs
West Midlands 6,944 6,880 6,756 -188 -2.7 -124 -1.8 increased terror threat. working together to change the way
He wrote: “Once again you have all forces deliver forensics, armed policing,
stepped up to offer the protection the public surveillance and major investigations.
have needed and been embraced by the l Targeted increases in Government
public. You have also kept normal business spending to help forces tackle the
going. This is a huge strain and do not think threats faced – cyber-crime, counter
that I am not aware of the impact on you terrorism and enhanced protection for
and your families. This is also a sustained officers.
and determined threat that is not going He concludes: “The attacks in London
away anytime soon. We are and must and Manchester show we have a police
remain in a heightened state of readiness.” service whose officers have shown incredible
But he admits that reduced numbers bravery defending the public.
were having an effect on policing capability. “In the past few weeks, people have
Mr Thompson points out that the Force has demonstrated a huge affection for the work
fewer officers than it did in 1974 and that of policing, recognising our officers are
only by calling on £18 million in reserves can unquestionably the front-line of our nation’s
it sustain current numbers. He also admits security.
the Force would struggle to deal with an “It is time for police leaders to work with
event such as the 2011 riots again. our new Government and make the case for
He has written an article for the National realistic investments in our service at this
Police Chiefs’ Council which explains what critical time.”

www.westmidspolfed.com federation August/September 2017 15