Public involvement helping to reshape policing service

Following the publication of Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary PEEL efficiency report, Police and Crime Commissioner Alison Hernandez has issued the following statement.

“I am pleased that HMIC has recognised the strategic intent to improve how Devon and Cornwall Police is organised and how it provides services.

“I am also comfortable that the public, through myself as Police and Crime Commissioner, is helping to shape that improvement that we want to see in the right areas.

“My Police and Crime Plan, which was published after the biggest ever consultation into policing held in Devon and Cornwall, put better connectivity between the police and communities as its key priority. I am pleased that the hard work that the chief constable and his team have been doing in this area is recognised in the report.

“The report praises the Force for its work with victims of crime, who are referred through the Victim Care Unit, and first time offenders via the Pathfinder scheme, two pieces of work which were driven by my office.

“Both are now business as usual for the Force and I look forward to seeing officers come to value them as important ways to improve the way the Force deals with victims and offenders and stop the revolving door of repeat victims and offenders.

“Just last month the public and the Police and Crime Panel supported a £12* a year increase to the police precept.

“This money will be used to speed up and increase recruitment, meaning 575 new recruits will join the Force by 2020, and push police officer numbers above the 3,000 threshold. The recruitment of more investigators can also now happen much more quickly, which is also highlighted in the report.

“The Force is already fast forwarding improvements in IT, highlighted throughout this report, including the use of body worn video cameras.

“I am sure that each of these improvements will be recognised when HMIC next inspects.

“Devon and Cornwall Police is a good force which has the confidence of the people that it serves to keep them safe and protect them from harm.

“This is a safe place to live, work and play. Crime is lower than most forces, in fact we are fifth out of 43. The Force has already made huge investments to improve the way it records crime as this was a priority set by me. This should be applauded.

“But we must never, and will never be, complacent the HMIC report is a helpful guide to identifying future improvements. I will continue to work closely with the chief constable to understand these areas and help deliver improvements if they are areas of public safety or priority.”