Thanks for your email and your question - you're quite right this is a very important issue. It's a complex issue however I've tried to outline my thoughts as briefly as I can, below.
The first thing to note is that there are two primary sources of finance for the police. Namely; funding from the Government, and a portion of the Council Tax known as the Precept, which is collected from the residents of the West Midlands. The Government has reduced funding by £126 million and given the current economic challenges facing the UK, there does not appear to be support to increase the Council Tax. So there is less money is available for the delivery of police services.
West Midlands Police have tried to tackle this reduction in finance by introducing a re organisation programme to redesign how services are delivered. This has allowed them to redeploy or release staff from the organisation in order to make additional cost savings. Many have left the organisation through various pathways including seeking new employment opportunities, taking redundancy, and through the instigation of 'A19' i.e. the police regulation which required officers to leave the force once they achieve 30 years service. Under these changes, the force has set out plans and is progressing to cut 1,850 roles, including 1,060 police officers, 20 police community support officers and 770 civilian staff by 2015.
There are quotes from the Government and force suggesting that the reduction in staff will not affect front line services however, arguably there are already examples of the distance and barriers developing between the police and communities. We've seen it through the closure of many police stations and the growing frustrations of the public in trying to contact and obtain information from the force. There's no denying that community links are currently suffering as there is a growing gap between police delivery and public expectations. Various initiatives are underway to improve these difficulties including new contact centers, pop up police stations and better use of technology. But I would argue that more thought needs to be given to what this means for the future of the force and ability to deliver longer term.
The fact of the matter is, there is less finance and fewer staff, with processes being adjusted to try to deliver a comparable service. Depending on the source of information you are looking at, the impression of current policing in the West Midlands can range from, ‘doing ok’ to ‘the public and police are at risk’.
As part of the force response to managing reduced finance they are exploring Business Partnering also termed as ‘privatisation’ to ‘explore the opportunities of working with the private sector to transform the way policing is delivered and improve services to the public, whilst maintaining good performance’.
I think the police could benefit from advances in the public sector, in terms of technology, partnership working, and learning from organisations that have faced similar challenges. But there's definitely a balance to be struck here, and I would have to examine any such arrangement thoroughly before making a decision.
There's no denying that a Business Partner will likely seek to make a profit from the arrangement - they are a business after all. Again we'd have to understand the detail and make a decision in the best interests of the general public and which will not impede the ability of the police to do their job. There's also the question of whether a Business Partner would seek to make further staff reductions, or changes to employee terms and conditions? Would they charge for services under similar arrangements to Private Finance Initiatives? We simply don't know right now, but these are all areas that I'd personally want to investigate thoroughly before making any decisions.
So where does all of this leave us? In my view, all options need to be explored. The fact is, the financial situation will not improve in the future and there are potentially even more cuts likely. As a general principle I'll continue to encourage an honest and open debate in order to help assess what's best for the residents of the West Midlands as well as West Midlands Police. Whichever solution is ultimately decided upon, it will not be acceptable to all because it will mean changes to how the police delivery their service as well as changes in the public expectation of that delivery process. But for me this isn't and shouldn't be about politics, it needs to be about getting the job done.
Will I seek to protect jobs? Yes of course, so long as that goal does not impede the safety and security of people or police officers. Will I seek to look at the best practice working in the private sector to improve policing? Absolutely, but only if the cost is not detrimental to policing now or in the future. Do I have categorical answer to this situation right now? No. But I guarantee that I'll do my utmost to provide a solution which is the most beneficial and sustainable for the residents of the West Midlands.
I believe I can bridge the gap and rebuild links between the police and the public but it will require a fundamental change in peoples' expectations of the police as well as police expectations of the public. In my view, people must begin to see the police as a resource that needs protecting and supporting, while the police must continue to ‘put people first’ even if that means some of the paperwork and processes need to be stripped back to help them achieve this. In all of this, greater collaboration and partnership work will be key.
What I will not do is seek to make quick and dirty media headlines about protecting jobs and criticising Business Partnering. I have heard a lot from other candidates about both but so far nobody has said what the alternative options are. They will be misleading the voters if they make claims that they cannot deliver once on post - something which I will not do.
In summary, this is a really contentious area, but it's not one which is going to go away. We need to find a solution and fully explore all of the options. I'd encourage more debate on this and other elements about the PCC role because it's something people need to be aware of and something which will change policing forever. I hope that answers your question but if you have any further thoughts, please do let me know as I'd be happy to hear from you. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PLEDGES The below is an example of a set of pledges I was asked to sign and my response lf I am elected as the Police and Crime Commissioner for West Midlands, I pledge to: 1. Increase resources to front line policing to improve community reassurance in areas with high crime and disorder 2. Include lslamophobia as a specific hate crime flag on the police incident recording system similar to how racist and anti-Semitic incidents are recorded and quarterly publish the data with clearance rate 3. Introduce recording of stop and account encounters across West Midlands and produce annual monitoring report for each OCU 4. Not allow any racist, fascist or extremist group to hold any rally or events in sensitive locations in West Midlands which will lead to undue fear and cause disorder in the community 5. Establish a Youth Advisory Board and a separate Community Advisory Board with representation from faith, community and youth organisations, which will provide a platform to: - engage in meaningful dialogue with the PCC to hear community concerns and suggestions on policing - report on progress made by the PCC on delivering the crime plan and community concerns and suggestions - consult on policing proposals and targets as well as influence local policing policies and practices My response in the form of a letter
I will be attending the event however I am unable to sign the pledges.
Although I agree the pledges cater for some really important issues, I promise to be open and honest with everyone I come into contact with and for me these issues are too important to be signed off in their current format.
Let me explain my thinking;
1 Increase resources to front line policing to improve community reassurance in areas with high crime and disorder
There are many different ways to tackle high crime levels and disorder which include assessing levels of resourcing, utilising all relevant policing tactics and working in partnership with members of the community and agencies. I will work with stakeholders to provide a tailored prevention, reduction, enforcement and reassurance plan for each crime area which may include increased resources or other measures.
2. Include Islamophobia as a specific hate crime flag on the police incident recording system similar to how racist and anti-Semitic incidents are recorded and quarterly publish the data with clearance rate
I abhor Hate Crime(HC) of any sort and I will work with all the stakeholders to ensure that victims feel confident to report HC, that victims and witnesses are heard and supported, ensure the crime it is properly recorded and that effective steps are taken to stop the offending and challenge the offenders in the most appropriate way. Acknowledging that not all HC victims want to support a police prosecution.
I do not think there is a need to establish a local, bureaucratic and costly (i.e. changes to IT systems, etc) system of categorising outside of the Home Office counting rules. I don't underestimate the impact of Islamaphobia, Anti Semitism and other Faith based Hate Crimes - one only has to think of the attack on a Sikh congregation in USA to see what unchallenged HC can become - and as I have said I want all HC victims to get the best response from the police and other agencies
I value the work undertaken by MAMA (Measuring Anti Muslim Attacks) and will ensure WMP continue to support their aims and objectives. I will also ensure that WMP continues to work with 'Stop Hate UK', 'True Vision', Victim Support Service (VSS) and all of the other support networks that help victims of HC
As for detection rates, I will ensure that as far as practicable they will be published on the WMP website (as they are currently) and that they are as transparent as possible. 3. Introduce recording of stop and account encounters across West Midlands and produce annual monitoring report for each OCU
Whilst I am reluctant to introduce counting measures that are likely to divert officers time from policing I fully understand the distress multiple stops and encounters can have on innocent people; I fully understand the real concerns people have about the disproportionality of BME young men who are subject of encounters or searches.
I want to have a frank and honest discussion with police Commanders whose officers are responsible for a disproportionate of stops and I want individual officers to be held accountable for their contribution to the statistics. I am working on ways to enable 'Non Target Criminals' who are repeatedly subjected to Stop & Search/Encounter to be able to address their concerns directly to Inspectors and LPU Commanders.
I believe Stop and Search is a legitimate use of police powers and used properly, according to the law, does deter criminals. If this was an easy problem to solve I can assure you that the police service would have done something about it long ago.
To explore the issues further HMIC will be conducting research into this area and I will ensure West Midlands is involved in the study.
I have already identified with other groups that Stop & Search/Encounter is an issue that I want to bring out into the open and take meaningful steps to tackle the reality and perceptions that surrounds the police use.
4. Not allow any known racist, fascist or extremist group to hold any rally, static demonstration or march in West Midlands which may lead to undue fear and cause disorder in the community
The police do not have the power to prevent people expressing their views on the streets of the UK, look at Northern Ireland during the 'Marching Season' to illustrate that fact. However, where there is intelligence to suggest that the presence of a particular group will incite Hate then I will expect the Chief Constable to use all of their available powers to eliminate or reduce the threat - as he and Birmingham City Council have done in the past.
But the way to ensure that such groups avoid Birmingham is to demonstrate that we are a cohesive city and that people of ALL ethnicities and Faiths will band together to challenge their hatred.
5. Establish a Youth Advisory Board and a separate Community Advisory Board with representation from faith, community and youth organisations, which will provide a platform to: · engage in meaningful dialogue with the PCC to hear community concerns and suggestions on policing · report on progress made by the PCC on delivering the crime plan and community concerns and suggestions · consult on policing proposals and targets as well as influence local policing policies and practices
This pledge mirrors thoughts that I have had about providing a framework to young people and faith/community groups to represent their communities. To debate, discuss and understand issues as well as received feedback. The details of this framework are best discussed with young people and the faith/ community groups across the West Midlands to establish a model that works for all. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- QUESTION - Cath, you describe yourself as an 'Independent' but, having spent 30 years as a police officer, can you be truly independent not just from political bias but also from your natural affinity with the police? Secondly, can you outline the 'Strategic Direction' you intend to set and what power you will have to deal with the Chief Constable if he fails to follow your direction? Finally, you have admitted in the past that you strongly disagree with the principle of having a Police & Crime Commissioner at all....how then can you justify standing for election to carry out a role you don't even believe should exist? ANSWER - Tommy, I do not describe myself as an Independent, I am ‘Independent’ – independent of party political coercion, meaning that neither Government nor local MP’s can tell me what to do if elected. They can potentially influence my decision making, but only with good ideas, just like any resident of the force area, to benefit the people of the West Midlands. They may also have good ideas that will assist West Midlands Police and their ability to deliver an improved service. But the crux of the issue is that if elected as PCC it will be my actions on behalf of the Public and in their best interests that the Police will respond to, not that of a different colour rosette or attempts to point score before a political election, either locally or nationally, but by me as an Independent. With regard to an affinity with the Police, but in particular the West Midlands Police you are right and why would I not have an affinity with the men and women that proudly serve the Public today as they did in 1980 when I first joined. Like you and all the other police employees who have worked with or served as officers, the role was to ‘serve’ the people of the West Midlands, ‘keep them safe, fight crime and lock-up the bad guys’. For 30 years I did this because I cared, I was passionate about Policing and helping the Public; each day I went to work wanting to make a difference and in many respects I know I did. Over those 30 years there were many changes, whilst I did not agree with all of them, I had to accept them and move on. The PCC election is part of a new change that is either left to the party political animals to scrap over or for the very same person who cared for the Public as an officer, to now do it as their elected PCC. I left the West Midlands Police over 2 years ago, that does not mean that I stopped caring about Policing or the Public. I could have just ignored the PCC election and I did for a while, but just like 32 years ago I decided I could make a difference – as an Independent – as the PCC for the West Midlands a great place, with great people and a great Police service. If you had found the time to read about my reasons for becoming a candidate either on my website or that of the Police Elections you would have recognised a key moment, the ‘spark’ in my decision to stand and to stand as an Independent. Quote: “My initial inspiration was a retired lady from Walsall Neighbourhood Watch who said, ‘If I were 20 years younger, I’d give them a run for their money.’ Well I am 20 years younger and I do have the knowledge and experience to make a difference”. I could have sat and tutted, moaned and commented from the touchline on how bad this PCC process could be for the Police and the Public. Instead I decided to do something, using my experience; my knowledge; my policing background; my passion for Policing and care for the Public I decided to stand as a candidate offering a different choice and different perspective to voters. It was not an easy decision, a massive commitment, which has been questioned by, many (including myself when running around the West Midlands). Why would you want to do such a ‘big role’ after 30 years; just enjoy retirement. Well I am not finished, the fire in my belly is still there to deliver the best Police service possible for the Public and provide the Police with the time to do their job, making the Public safe. I have seen varying posts on social media by people who do not agree with the PCC role and won’t vote. That is their view and no one can force them to vote or even change their opinion of me. But on the 16th November the first PCC for the West Midlands will be announced and those that have not voted could have influenced the outcome. The PCC will have the future of our policing in their hands and those hands may well belong to someone without passion but with political motivation. The same people who are glass half empty now, will be glass half empty then, that unfortunately will probably not change. If I am not elected I will have challenged hard to the very end to make sure that the elected person knows the expectations of the Public and the Police. And what must be achieved without political prejudice as there is no place for party politics in the West Midlands Police. There will always be politics involved but without bias or of a particular party colour. With regard to Strategic Direction I have, through the privilege of reaching a senior rank, regularly delivered Strategic Direction within many different areas of policing and with considerable success. Building public confidence will be essential but I have done this before and I will do it again. It will be achieved by developing a new, active partnership between the Public, myself and the Police. The ‘power’ as you describe it, of the PCC over the Chief Constable is clearly identified in the ‘job description’ available for all to see on the varying Government information portals. I will let you and others read this and become more informed about the PCC role. My final thought on why I am standing for election is that ‘I care and I can’. I care now as I did as an 18 year old to deliver Policing to the Public in my own way. I can, because like everyone else who is a resident of the West Midlands I can stand; my glass is half full; my passion is there and again like that 18 year old I will make a difference. Regards Cath
Index
- Business Partnering - Pledges - Independence and PCC
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Police and Crime Commissioner, PCC, putting people first, West Midlands, Cath Hannon, Cath, Hannon, female, woman
