Asking the police service to do more with less is a failed strategy

4 October 2022

Asking the police service to do more with less is a failed strategy that seems to carry on, according to Kent Police Federation.

Chair Neil Mennie was speaking after Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng confirmed that no extra money would be available for public services in the face of soaring inflation.

That equates to £18 billion worth of real-terms public spending cuts.

Policing has struggled to cope with severe budget cuts since 2010, and Neil believes even more reductions will leave the service struggling to recruit and retain officers who are already swamped by demand.

He said: “The large cuts to policing in 2010 had huge implications that are still being felt today and the potential for more appears to be looming large.

“The uplift (not extra) officers continues to be a challenge and it will take a little time to train and embed those colleagues into place. Demand has also increased and continues to generate far more work than available capacity.

“If we want to have a decent chance of retaining both our newer and more experienced federated ranks, this is not the time to hit policing yet again.

“Policing has entered a sort of ‘buyers’ market’ where the ability to transfer between forces and look at other occupations is becoming even more attractive.

“Many colleagues will continue with their chosen vocation in what is a very honourable profession but against a backdrop that seems to be getting worse rather than better.

“I don’t doubt the usual soundbites will appear about the importance of policing and the latest, but rarely new, big idea about reducing crime. It will probably be around performance and accountability and result in pressure around ‘detections’ and ‘charges’ and as usual add more to the stress and pressures of policing.

“Policing still says ‘yes’ in many situations, both crime and non-crime, where it should be saying ‘no’ with providing its services – and although this may be a difficult message it’s the reality we are in.

“There is still some outstanding work being carried out and the satisfaction of a job well done with a top result shouldn’t be underestimated.

“The trouble is that it is getting harder to see the wood for the trees. Trying to do more with less just doesn’t work but sadly a philosophy that seems to continue on.”