CHESHIRE Constabulary is outstanding at understanding its current and likely future demand, according to the latest efficiency report issued by HM Inspector of Constabulary (HMIC).
The inspection took place in July and focused on how efficient the Constabulary is at keeping people safe and reducing crime in Cheshire and the report is issued today.
The force was measured against three key areas – how well it understands its current and likely future demand, how well it uses resources to manage current demand and how well the force is planning for demand in the future.
Cheshire was rated “outstanding” for one of these areas and rated “good” overall.
The report highlighted the Constabulary’s use of its priority-based budgeting (PBB) process as a critical tool in managing its demand.
The PBB process has allowed the Constabulary to consciously review the service levels provided to the public by choosing which priorities to invest in. These choices are aligned to the priorities of the Constabulary and its “We’re here” commitments.
The PBB process is a complete, open and transparent model for ensuring the Constabulary understands what it is trying to achieve and the role each business area plays in achieving this.
Deputy Chief Constable Janette McCormick (pictured) said: “Having a good understanding of demand is vital in ensuring that we have the right resources, in the right place to provide the right level of policing now and in the future.
“The process encourages invest-to-save initiatives and looks for ways to make officers and staff more efficient when they are out in their communities, reducing the time spent back in police stations, ensuring that officers remain visible, on the beat and engaged in activities to reduce and prevent crime.
“PBB has enabled the Constabulary to invest significantly in its innovative and ambitious digitalisation plan. The plan is supported by a professional and forward-thinking IT department, allowing the force to develop products and services which meet the needs of its officers and staff. Since HMIC assessed the Constabulary, the force has successfully implemented the use of mobile devices, to assist and drive efficiencies among front line officers.”
Another key area highlighted in the report was how well the Constabulary has explored all opportunities to work in collaboration with others to increase efficiency and provide a better and more resilient service to the public of Cheshire.
The Constabulary has been praised for developing an innovative way to work collaboratively with Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service to provide joint services in areas such as finance, technology and vehicle maintenance, as well as opportunities to share accommodation.
DCC McCormick added: “By collaborating with Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service we are able to maximise the efficiency of the two services. Bringing together our ‘back office’ teams and systems by working together more closely and sharing some resources and premises we can achieve real efficiencies, as well as delivering a more joined-up service to our communities.
“As a police force we have a number of business areas where we work collaboratively with a number of other forces and partners in order to reduce demand. The Constabulary has engaged in a number of collaborative ventures, both operational and organisational and is continually exploring new ways of working to provide services more efficiently to the public.”
The Constabulary moved to a new operating model back in July 2015, moving from 19 neighbourhood policing teams to eight local policing units.
The structure allows the Constabulary to bring together staff across several key policing areas to be briefed simultaneously in one deployment centre. The model produces significant benefits as the Constabulary is able to share knowledge and maximise opportunities for working better as a team.
Police and Crime Commissioner David Keane said: “The report shows that as Commissioner I have a good foundation to build upon. Residents should be pleased to read that their police service is outstanding in its understanding of current and future demand, makes good use of its resources to manage current demand and is good at planning for demand in the future.
“Furthermore our communities should be encouraged by the Inspectorate’s findings that the Constabluary have processes in place to make informed choices about the level of resources and services across the organisation and the recognition of well developed and ambitious plans for the future.
“There is more to be done to ensure officers and staff aren’t just recruited but have the right skills to serve our communities and that the mobile technology that has been planned for some time is fully implemented; implementation that is now taking place. The Inspectorate make some important observations and as your Commissioner I will be working on your behalf to ensure that any areas for improvement are acted upon.
“All in all this report reflects a well performing Constabulary and I would like to thank all the officers, staff and volunteers who make up our police family for their hard work and dedication in keep all our communities safe.”
