Today the Daily Express reports on one of the fundamental issues preventing the British Police Service from doing what they are supposed to do i.e. Prevent & Detect Crime.
The devastating effects of ‘workforce modernisation’ in the police service over the last decade, along with the increase in beurocracy involved in gathering government statistics has without a doubt, left the service with a negative legacy.
Damning figures reveal today how Britain’s 43 forces have almost as many clerks, pen-pushers and “plastic policemen” as fully-trained officers. (Daily Express)
Paul McKeever, Chairman, Police Federation of England and Wales commenting on the problems and a report (see link below) into the issues said:
It seems clear that for all the platitudes on restoring public confidence in the police, promises to keep police officer numbers high may be nothing more a game of smoke and mirrors. (PolFed Release)
I feel sure that the newly appointed Home Secretary (and Policing Minister) are likely to get all the facts at the annual Police Federation Conference this week. I only hope they actually listen AND more importantly DO SOMETHING about it to reverse the problems.
