The Police and Crime Commissioner for Staffordshire, Matthew Ellis, has today welcomed the results from a Value for Money inspection carried out by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC).
HMIC’s judgement is that the force is ‘Outstanding’, an accolade shared by only four others nationally. Staffordshire was judged alongside all 43 police forces in three categories covering financial prospects, affordability of policing and also efficiency.
Mr Ellis said it had been a tremendous year working closely with Staffordshire Police to improve the financial outlook as well as the service provided:
“I’m delighted that the progress we’ve made working in partnership with Staffordshire’s police service has been recognised nationally. Less money is coming from Government but I’ve also refused to ask local people for more money through council tax.
“My assertion of the last 18 months that the quality of public services does not only depend on how much money is spent but how well it’s spent is proven. HMIC backs that view and I’m delighted.
“The small group of professionals I brought together last year to establish my office have worked closely with Staffordshire Police to get budgets nicely on track. I remain confident that by 2016 over £30million in savings and productivity will have been achieved meaning that despite less money coming in, budgets are on track right the way to 2020.”
“If I’m honest, 18 months ago, I wouldn’t have believed finances would be so strong but the fact they are is testament to the extraordinarily good working relationship between my team and the Chief Constable’s.
“In practical terms it means that the planned reductions in Neighbourhood Policing were cancelled four months ago and new investment in mobile technology for all frontline officers will see between 3,000 and 7,000 extra hours each week of frontline policing in 2015.
“We are not and will not become complacent and there are substantial challenges ahead but things are looking pretty good and I’m excited at future prospects for policing, community safety and wider criminal justice for Staffordshire.”
The full report is at http://www.hmic.gov.uk/publication/policing-in-austerity-meeting-the-challenge/
