Page 7 - In Force Winter 2017_Neat

Force “needs improvement”, says HMICFRS

Leicestershire has been found to require trying to do more with less.” public.
improvement in all three areas of an HM Inspector of Constabulary Zoë “The Force’s finances are stable and it
efficiency inspection by Her Majesty’s Billingham acknowledged the Force was has consistently met savings targets. The
Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & working hard to improve its efficiency. Force will need to plan carefully to achieve a
Rescue Services (HMICFRS). She explained: “I am encouraged that sustainable financial position for the future,
Inspectors said the Force: the Force has recognised that its while meeting increasing demand. I am
l “Requires improvement” at organisational structure is causing some confident that the chief constable and his
understanding the demands for its inefficiencies. It’s extensive change chief officer team will continue to move the
services programme is designed to address this Force in the right direction over the coming
l “Requires improvement” at how it uses through a reorganisation of its workforce year.”
its resources and considerable changes in how incidents Leicestershire was inspected by
l “Requires improvement” at planning and investigations are managed. I am HMICFRS as part of the third annual
for the future. encouraged that the Force is also improving efficiency reports which examine how well
Chris Hanrahan, secretary of the how it manages hidden demand. police forces in England and Wales
Leicestershire Police branch of UNISON, said “The Force has a sound understanding understand demand, use their resources
the rating was disappointing not just for of the operational skills of its officers and and plan for the future. Two forces have
the Force but also for police staff and staff, although more could be done to been graded as “outstanding”, 30 as “good”,
officers. further encourage talented people within 10 as “requiring improvement”, two more
“The Government cuts to police budgets its workforce through more formal than last year, and no force was rated as
have put all forces under pressure as they development schemes. “inadequate”.
try to fight crime and protect their “I am pleased that the Force works in The overall finding was that in an
communities. Hard-working people strong and close collaboration with environment of increasingly complex crime
working in policing have risen to the neighbouring police forces across the and changing demand, police forces are
challenge and have attempted to maintain region and works well with other local generally continuing to manage their
a high quality service despite the pressures agencies, like local councils and other resources well.
they are under,” says Chris. emergency services. The Force has rolled The report concludes that while most
“This rating will come as a further blow out mobile devices to all front-line officers police forces throughout the country have
to everyone who cares about the policing and staff. This initiative will help to improve risen impressively to the challenges they
service we provide but sadly it is a case of the efficiency of the workforce, and support face, policing remains under significant
something has to give; we just can’t go on the provision of a better service to the stress.
!
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With police staff jobs on the line as the branch secretary. essential cover. The full range of
Force tries to deal with its funding shortfall “We are also calling on more people to benefits includes:
and a pay rise of just one per cent on the become union representatives so that they l Advice, support and help when
table, the Leicestershire Police branch of can offer support to colleagues and help us you need it at work
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