Community focus for reform proposals
Neighbourhood policing is set to be introduced across the service under the latest package of reforms announced by the Government.
Dedicated neighbourhood policing teams containing a mix of officers, PCSOs and wardens will be set up by every force in the country.
David Blunkett said: “Policing can not stand still, and we need to continue to reform and modernise to respond to the challenges of our rapidly changing society.
“Key to this vision is bringing in dedicated neighbourhood policing
teams across the country. They will be supported by continued investment that will maintain record officer numbers and also provide 25,000 community support wardens.”
Customer service is also at the heart of the measures including the introduction of a non-emergency number by 2006, minimum call-handling standards and better information for victims. Mobile phone numbers will also be available for people to call officers directly.
Ten commitments to the public have also been drawn up, including feeling safe in their own homes, better treatment of victims and witnesses and better service when they contact the police.
Mr Blunkett said: “Public satisfaction with the police will become part of how police performance is measured, and where inaction has led to disillusionment and frustration in the community, local people will be able to trigger action.”
The reforms entitled Building Communities, Beating Crime: A Better Police Service for the 21st Century follow months of consultation launched by the Home Office in November 2003.
Other proposals:
n More flexible working by the police, greater civilianisation and cutting bureaucracy to deliver the equivalent of 12,000 officers to the frontline by 2008.
n Multiple points of entry to the service and barriers to police staff becoming officers to be removed.
n Increase the rates of recruitment, retention and progression of ethnic minority and female officers and staff in the service.
n Ban on membership of organisations (like the British National Party) whose aims contravene the services commitment to race equality.
n Develop national standards for the recruitment, pay and training of PCSOs, enhance training for frontline staff, middle managers and basic command unit commanders.
n Chief constables to choose their own
top team.
n A new code of practice to embed the use of the National Intelligence Model.
n A National Policing Improvement Agency to embed a culture of self-improvement and customer service in the police service.
n A review of the partnership provisions in the Crime and Disorder Act 1998, with a view to making partnerships more effective and truly accountable and with local authorities playing an increased role both as partners and scrutinisers.
n The role of local police
commanders strengthened.