Changes to local policing revealed

Over the next few weeks some interim changes will be made in the way local policing is managed in Dyfed Powys Police as part of the work to make the savings required to balance the budget.

 

Deputy Chief Constable Jackie Roberts, who is leading the change process, explains, “In order to make the savings we need to make over the next four years we have to streamline the way we work. In a recent Ipsos Mori survey carried out on behalf of the Force most residents who responded told us that they were willing to pay a little bit extra a week to protect the front line and make changes to our management structure to save money.

 

“From the beginning of February we are putting interim arrangements in place for our new operational structure for the Force that will enhance day to day service delivery as we respond to the needs of our residents and will not be constricted to the boundaries of our four counties.

 

“Our mission is ‘Safeguarding our Communities’, and the structural changes to our Operational Policing Model are designed to minimise the operational consequences of the budget cuts within a very different organisational structure. Front line officers will not be affected by these changes. It is business as usual for our day to day operation.

 

“We will be moving to one policing area, instead of four, by the first quarter of 2012 that will be underpinned by a streamlined and more efficient business support structure. In the interim, while we prepare for the changes we will continue to have locally based Chief Inspectors in each county area who will be supported by two Superintendents and two Chief Superintendents. This will help us ensure we maintain our high levels of performance and detection rates and provide an equal level of service for our four county boroughs, bearing in mind their differences and individual needs.

 

“So far the Force has identified a potential £5.8million of savings through a series of HR initiatives, cost reduction plans and service reviews. It hasn’t been easy and our staff has worked hard to identify areas where we can save money through improving or changing the way that we work. It is a very challenging time for us and we still need to make an additional saving of £3.4million.

 

“A detailed proposed budget was submitted to the Police Authority Finance and General Purpose Committee on 3rd February for discussion before it goes for approval to the full Police Authority meeting on February 14th where Members will further discuss and agree the council tax precept for residents.”