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Gavin Thomas will voice "genuine fears" for the service.

Gavin Thomas

Date - 10th September 2018
By - Martin Buhagiar and Press Association 

1 Comment

 

The public is being "defrauded" as policing stands on the brink of crisis in many areas.

Chief Superintendent Gavin Thomas, President of the Police Superintendents' Association, will this week voice "genuine fears" for the service in England and Wales, saying it is "utterly reliant" on fewer people working longer and harder.

The officer will tell the association's annual conference: "I cannot emphasise enough that the delivery of routine policing functions should not be dependent on officers effectively giving their time for free by staying past their shift times or working on leave days.

"That exploits police officers and defrauds the public."

Speaking at last year's conference, he argued policing was in the midst of a "perfect storm".

On Tuesday, Mr Thomas will say: "I would now suggest that this great service is on the verge of crisis in many areas.

"The vision for policing has to be something more strategic than a hope for more collaborations, otherwise we will be in a perpetual state of crisis."

He will urge Home Secretary Sajid Javid and police leaders to take "difficult and bold" decisions.

Mr Thomas is expected to say: "There is a void in the long-term strategic vision for thepolice service of the future.

"We need to know what the overall goal is for reform. What are we ultimately working towards? What is the vision for policing in 21st century England and Wales?"

The Association highlighted concerns about collaborations, where officers have responsibilities across more than one force.

Its research found officers reported spending hours in a car some days covering areas of more than 100 miles, using two different laptops, IDs and email addresses for the same job.

Mr Thomas will say: "We have been debating our structures for delivering service to the public on and off for years, and yet have been trying to make the same systems and structures work.

"The famous definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results."

His speech is likely to spark fresh scrutiny of police resources and staffing levels amid rising levels of recorded crime, including serious violence, and an unprecedented terror threat.

Last week, analysis by the Press Association revealed forces closed hundreds of thousands of residential burglary, vehicle theft and shoplifting investigations without identifying any suspect.

In his first major policing speech in May, Mr Javid pledged to prioritise police funding in the next spending review.

A Home Office spokeswoman said: "The Home Secretary has made it clear that he is committed to a good working relationship with the police and to ensuring that front line officers get the support and professional development they deserve.

"The ongoing Front Line Review will help officers and staff to drive change in policing and ensure that the barriers they face on a day-to-day basis are identified and addressed."

The department added that the Policing Minister spoke to leaders in every force in England and Wales about the changing demands on them before making decisions on the 2018/19 police settlement that is increasing total investment in the police system by over £460m, including increased funding for local policing through Council Tax precept.

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[Zulu 22 + 4,574]

The problem is, that they are saying it 10 years too late.

[Mac7 808]

The problem is, that they are saying it 10 years too late.

My thoughts exactly and because it is so late it’s barely getting any air time on TV or radio.

Just what we need. Another Home Office review of policing.

[Zulu 22 + 4,574]

I have a remedy. Increase Police funding to a level that enables them to recruit back to the establishment  which existed 10 years ago. Then when that is done for each Force to apply for an increase in establishment. It is not going to happen but, it would be the solution.

[mike88 + 257]

It's already in crisis. A neighboring force to mine had 17 unresourced immediates the other week.

Edited September 10, 2018 by mike88

[Growley + 2,436]

It's already in crisis. A neighboring force to mine had 17 unresourced immediates the other week.

Is that all? I've been on one of the Mets big super boroughs with more than double that outstanding.

[David + 4,981]

Edge of crisis? It's already there and is teetering right on the brink.

Welcome words, but along with Ms Dick's assertions regarding pay, too little, too late.