The latest annual State of Policing report recognises the dedication of the police service during the current Covid-19 situation, but also touches on key areas over which the Staffordshire Commissioner has concerns.
The Staffordshire Commissioner’s Office broadly welcomes the report, by HM Chief Inspector of Constabulary Sir Thomas Winsor, which although it covers 2019, also comments on the current good work done by forces working collaboratively during the pandemic.
But Sir Thomas also highlights how Force boundaries can often act as barriers and states ‘the time has come to establish a much higher degree of single-system operation’ in the 43-force structure of England and Wales. He says this doesn’t mean ‘re-drawing the map though’.
He suggests chief constables and police and crime commissioners ‘..can pool their sovereignties, by adopting a network code based on those used in other safety-critical essential public services….There are not 43 best ways of doing the same thing,’ he said.
The Staffordshire Commissioner’s Office agrees and has highlighted examples previously, such as IT, which can have an impact on services if 43 Forces adopt different approaches and fail to communicate effectively and efficiently with each other.
Other key points made in the annual report touch on issues the Staffordshire Commissioner is particularly concerned about and is working to address, such as the effectiveness of the Criminal Justice System and the overall funding arrangements for policing and community safety.
The Commissioner has long believed that multi-year funding is essential to help plan and develop longer-term investment in fighting the changing face of crime. It would also help innovation and advancements in information and communications technology. Funding commitments for one year at a time are unhelpful and work against long-term planning.
Mr Ellis is also concerned about the heavy impact of Covid-19 on the Criminal Justice System (CJS), which is mentioned by Sir Thomas.
The Staffordshire Commissioner has always worked closely with the CJS locally and has been quick to examine locally the effect on justice being administered because of the pandemic. A regional level recovery plan is being developed with all involved agencies, but close scrutiny of the effectiveness of this is required.
Mr Ellis said: ‘I’m pleased to see this State of Policing report highlights many of the concerns we have been working so hard to help alleviate in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent.
‘I’m particularly proud of the way policing has responded locally during the current challenging situation, but I’m also pleased to see this report pick up on the ever-important issues of funding and recruitment, which are now more relevant than ever.
‘And I hope this report will prompt the correct and appropriate response to ensure justice continues to be served in a timely manner for local people. I can assure people my office is doing all it can to ensure that’s the case.’
