24 March 2022

Federation Chair: What should the police service do? What should it not do…?

What should the police service do? What should it not do…?

James Dimmack, Chair of Dorset Police Federation responds to comments from the new head of Her Majesty’s Inspector of Constabulary, Fire and Rescue Services.

Andy Cooke told MPs this week that up to 40% of officers’ time is taken up on mental health calls.

Mr Cooke told the Home Affairs Select Committee yesterday: “An awful lot of Police Officers' time is taken up looking for children missing from home and absent from care.

“If that's what the public and Parliament want Policing to do, that's fine. But you must bear in mind while they're doing that, they're not doing other things that they should be doing, like detecting crime.

“With the wide scope that Policing has, in my view there needs to be a decision made in relation to what we want from our police service moving forward, and whether other agencies need to step into some parts of that sphere.”

James said: “For too long the Police Service has been the first and last resort of a myriad of issues. Seemingly it matters not if these Policing issues or social care issues. Needless to say we all have a collective responsibility to serve the public to the highest standard.

“Issues surrounding Mental health and those individuals who find themselves “missing” transpose numerous organisations. As the Police we encounter these scenarios live on a constant basis. It is entirely appropriate and required that we deal with these issues and signpost those individuals to the appropriate agency.

“Sadly, this is seemingly on a never ending repeat where we are left on a continuous loop being left to manage this very real risk. I am all too aware all Government agencies are feeling the strain. Sadly all too often we are left to absorb this strain alongside our own pressures.”

James added: “It is too simple to say we can’t deal with Mental Health or Missing persons as to protect life and limb is at the core of what we do. What we can’t do is provide any solutions for this. That is the domain of the dedicated social care providers within those specific areas.

“It is right that Dorset prioritises these threat, risk and Harm issues. It is also correct that Chief Constable Chilton has launched his new plan highlighting tacking crime. The reality is we have stretched resources and sadly we struggle to do everything we would aspire to. I am aware that “uplift” will have an impact on this however this will take a considerable time to be felt on the front line. I am also aware that Dorset Police officer go above and beyond everyday to ensure that all areas are covered as best they can be.”  

James concluded: “I have been asked what we should the Police stop doing. I don’t think we have the luxury of saying we won’t do a specific thing as every situation is different and is dealt with in real time. What I do think we should be saying is that once the incident has been taken out of real time then the appropriate agency should or indeed must take responsibility. That way we provide a premier service to the public and in doing so we allow each agency to excel in their own area of business.”