Page 23 - Federation Magazine: August/September 2015

Name: PC Priest Home Secretary, do you think it is LPU: DY necessary for you to have to answer to a PCC seeks public Service: 26 years PCC also? Were I to be on an interview panel, I involvement in believe I would like to ask the Chief Name: PC Swaby Constable candidate: “What will you put Service: 28 years search for new in place to relieve pressure on front -line My question: “If you are successful in staff, how will you achieve this and in obtaining the post of Chief Constable at Chief what time scale?” West Midlands Police, do you have any desire to reintroduce A19?” Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) David Name: PC Poole Jamieson wants to make the process of LPU: DY Name: PC Gower appointing a new Chief Constable as open Service: 17 years Service: 22 years as possible and wants the public to get With the current budget cuts, officer cuts, I would like the Chief’s successor’s involved too. and front offices being closed - which will priorities to be responding to the public’s While we have asked our members clearly have a knock-on effect with the needs; get rid of Shared Service Model, what they would like to ask applicants, Mr service we give to the public - at what it’s an oxy-moron. Jamieson is: point, as a Chief Constable, is he/she I would ask the new Chief applicant: l asking local people to suggest what going to stand up to their powers that be “How would you categorise yourself: they think are the qualities, skills and and, in turn, the Government and say: politician or police officer? Justify your experience the West Midlands’ next “You are crippling the police service.” answer.” Chief Constable needs to have, as well Front-line officers are burning out due to as what their priorities should be the demand on them. Name: PC Wickenden l inviting local people to join a Citizens’ With staffing levels frequently LPU: BWC Panel to help with the assessment of dropping below minimum on response Service: 12 years candidates and provide him with units, how will he/she keep these I would like the new Chief’s priorities to advice numbers above minimum (keeping be: l creating a youth Panel, comprising of health and safety off their back) WITHOUT 1. To review spending on external the West Midlands’ voluntary youth taking other officers from their own role to agencies i.e. Accenture to see if they Commissioners to make sure that the back fill on a regular basis? provide value for money and could next Chief Constable is also in touch money be spent on ring-fencing and with the concerns and aspirations of Name: PC Rich improving front-line policing. young people. LPU: DY 2. Be more accessible to officers. We have He said: “Appointing a new Chief Service: 10 years a DCC blog. Not the greatest mode of Constable is a big decision and that’s why I With regards to employing a Chief communication but why isn’t it the Chief? want to have as much input from the Constable, I believe we should have a 3. Provide clarity over the future of people of the West Midlands as possible. responsible Chief, an officer having neighbourhood policing and what “There are things that Chief Constables developed knowledge, skills and degree civilianisation will be used to of every police force must do, whichever experience while being an officer, having provide our service. force they lead, but I want local people to worked through the ranks. The future of My question for the prospective Chief tell me what special qualities and the Force will be reliant upon our ability would be: “What would you do to characteristics they want from the West to work effectively and efficiently, our demonstrate to the Government that the Midlands’ next Chief Constable. highest ranking officer in charge of that current cuts are putting policing in “We are a large and diverse region and process should have a full understanding jeopardy and provide some resilience our police force is the second largest in of the past in order to shape an effective against constant criticism of policing?” England, it is therefore only correct that I future, not just the power to cut costs and seek as much involvement from the corners. Name: PC Ford community as possible to make sure that Questions for the applicant: LPU: BW the public have a Chief Constable who is Dear applicant for the post of Chief Service: 25 years fully accountable to them as well as myself.” Constable for West Midlands Police, I would like to see any new Chief stand SElECTION TIMETABlE In these times of austerity, with the up to the Home Office and robustly 9 to 24 July 2015 country having to face highly challenge any further attempts to cut the Public consultation process contradictory advice from the political budget. August parties with regards to how the financial I would ask: “In the face of single Process to appoint members of the Citizens’ situation within the country should be crewing and the increased threat from and Youth Panels managed, with cuts being made to terror groups, what provision for increased 1 September 2015 various services, and current on-going officer safety (Taser- not single crewing etc.) Chief Constable post to be advertised restructuring of West Midlands Police, would the new Chief bring?” 22 September 2015 how do you propose to manage the future Closing date for applications of the Force; are you strong enough to Officer with 13 years’ service 30 September 2015 protect this essential service, to resist Question 1: West Midlands PCSOs have Shortlisting of candidates blanket cost-savings, to maintain and fewer powers than other forces, for 15 and 16 October 2015 increase the Force’s effectiveness in the example, power to detain and training in Assessment days light of reduced officer and civilian staff handcuffs (especially for city centre 23 November 2015 numbers, and to improve the morale of officers); will you be looking at increasing Police and Crime Panel confirmation those staff and officers who endeavour to PCSO powers in line with other forces? hearing meet all the demands placed upon them? Question 2: Morale across the Force is Early 2016 Secondly, considering that you will be believed to be very low, what are your New Chief Constable of West Midlands responsible to the West Midlands plans to increase morale? Police to begin their role. population, to the Government and to the www.westmidspolfed.com federation August/September 2015 23