‘Policing needs a long-term funding settlement’

15 January 2020

The Government must move to a long-term and sustained funding settlement for policing to end the boom and bust one-year settlements that prevent forces making strategic plans to fight crime and support communities, national Federation chair John Apter has claimed.

John was speaking after the Federation made its submission to the first part of the Strategic Review of Policing which was launched by the Government last year and is being carried out by The Police Foundation.

The Federation calls for an end to the current system where policing has been at the whim of political drivers with annual budgets set by national and local government and demands a full review of the police funding formula to end the current postcode lottery where richer regions get more resources for policing.

Geoff Bardell, chair of Hertfordshire Police Federation, has backed the national chair’s comments and believes the Government should act on the Federation’s recommendations.

“When the Government’s austerity measures were introduced around 10 years ago, we warned that the cuts would have consequences. Those consequences have been felt by the public and also by police officers who have been run ragged trying to maintain an effective policing service for the communities they serve,” says Geoff.

“While there is no great delight in being proven right, the Government should realise that, as we know the realities of modern day policing, we are well placed to suggest where improvements can be made.

“We welcome the fact that the new Government does seem to be keen to re-invest in policing and work with the Police Federation so I hope that ministers now take on board our thoughts on funding and put in place a system whereby forces are not lurching from one year to the next uncertain as to what money they will have available to them.”

The Police Federation submission to the Strategic Review also called for: 

• An examination of the adequacy of mental health services and impact of the increasing number of elderly and vulnerable people in society
• A re-examination of a complaints investigation protocol which is labour intensive and often disproportionate to the magnitude of a complaint
• Proper analysis of the 43-force model of policing which ‘may not necessarily best serve the needs of the public’.

Describing the Strategic Review as a ‘once in a generation opportunity to help right the wrongs of austerity’, the national Federation chair said: “It’s almost 60 years since the last Royal Commission, and we have been calling for another since 1999. This review is an important opportunity for us to help shape the future of policing into the century.

“While appreciating that the police service is a 24/7, 365 days a year service, it does not mean it is best placed or best equipped to deal with all public demands. This is an opportunity to help determine what the public wants and expects of their police service.”

Following the conclusion of the first stage of the review, the second phase will examine workforce, equipment, accountability mechanisms, structures and resources in early 2020.