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1 December 2008
Home Office officials this week witnessed first-hand how Staffordshire’s policing teams are planning to reduce police bureaucracy.
After a meeting with Staffordshire Chief Constable Christopher Sims, Policing Minister Vernon Coaker and reducing bureaucracy advocate Jan Berry met with the Staffordshire reducing bureaucracy practitioner group. Ideas were explored on reducing police bureaucracy, and how to give more time back to the communities that they serve.
The practitioner group meeting is the first to be held across the country; it is an important forum for the minister and Jan Berry to hear from frontline police officers on how further cuts to red tape can be made.
Statement from policing minister
Policing Minister Vernon Coaker said, 'I am very pleased to be here at the start of these very important meetings. Cutting police red tape is a key priority in order to increase public confidence that the police and other agencies are dealing with local crime and anti-social behaviour priorities.
'Jan Berry will lead similar meetings with front-line officers and staff from across the country. This follows on from initiatives that we outlined in the in the policing green paper published earlier this year.
'These measures include slashing red tape and the introduction of the policing pledge to give local people a stronger voice in setting local police priorities.'
Statement from reducing bureaucracy advocate
Jan Berry said, 'Throughout my career in policing I have understood the value of a professional police presence on our streets, with constables using their experience, common sense and discretion to resolve local problems and cut crime.
'These meetings mark the beginning of an important process to look at how we can give police back more time to work with the communities they serve. The practitioner group meetings will be an important forum for me to gather information and test proposals.'
Statement from Staffordshire police chief constable
Chief Constable Christopher Sims said, ‘Staffordshire’s playing a leading role on a national pilot aimed at tackling police bureaucracy. Early indications are that real progress has been made, and there’s a real sense of optimism for the future. The ultimate aim of our work is to free up time for staff to deliver a better, needs-based service which boosts public trust and confidence.'
Notes to editors
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The policing green paper (new window), published earlier this year, removed all but one central target imposed on police forces — to increase public confidence that the police and other agencies are tackling local crime and anti-social behaviour priorities. That means now Staffordshire’s main focus will be on working closely with local communities to tackle the issues that really matter to them.
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The summary of green paper consultation responses and next steps (new window) is available on the Home Office police website.
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Jan Berry’s review of bureaucracy is a key component of the police reform programme. It follows recommendations from the Flanagan Review (new window) and commitments made in the policing green paper to remove unnecessary bureaucracy, and free up police time
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The policing green paper From the Neighbourhood to the National: Policing Our Communities (new window) was published on 17 July 2008.
