For this blog entry I wanted to
talk about the current state of British policing and speculate about what the future
holds for the ever thinning blue line. ‘But hang on a minute – didn’t he just
say he wanted to keep it positive?’ you might be asking yourself. Okay, so it’s
not been a great year so far for ‘da Feds’: policing in the United Kingdom is
going through the greatest period of upheaval and change since the introduction
of PACE in the 1980’s, moral is at an all-time low, according to the national
media we’re all corrupt, reticent and self-serving, we haven’t had a pay rise
for ages, the pension has gone to pot, front line numbers are dwindling faster
than your average crack-heads life expectancy and the government seem to think
we’re all plebs (or perhaps they don't - ahem); but, is it all doom and gloom? Like I always say: there’s no
point in being a pessimist, because it probably wouldn’t work anyway…
Even the most optimistic would
find it hard to argue that these are not tough times for the police service.
But then these are tough times for the whole country; in fact these are tough
times for the whole Westernised World. The public sector has been hit hardest
of all in the current financial climate and reform is being forced upon us so
that we can conform to new enervating budgets as a result of ‘austerity cuts’;
not to mention greater cuts still await in the next two years. Despite what
Westminster say, you only have to look around the briefing room at work to see
that the front line is being
affected. Whilst in the doldrums, where most find themselves, it is hard to
look to the future with much expectation and take any positives from the
current situation.
However, who would argue that the
police service - along with the entire criminal justice system actually - was
not in dire need of an overhaul anyway? Many of the antiquated procedures,
legislation, processes and systems deployed in this once great country of ours
have been allowed to stagnate. For far too long we have rested on our laurels
and proudly boasted that the British police service model is the finest in the
world and to be imitated by other countries – but never truly replicated. This
is credit to the diligent, increasingly few officers up and down the land that
continue to work hard and risk their lives daily for the greater good. But a commendable
compliment of rank and file officers can only achieve so much. Despite our
efforts the fact of the matter is this: reform is not only necessary, it is
essential if we are to go on improving the service we provide, as well as keep
up-to-date with the changing needs of the public, technology, social trends and
the ever evolving methods of criminality.
Some might say that Tom Winsor,
David Cameron and Theresa May are buffoons... and some might be right. I am
certainly not defending the Winsor report – to contrary, like everyone else I
think much of it is unfair, unrealistic and unreasonable - but there’s not a
lot we (or the Federation apparently) can do about it. Anyone working in the
police service could see that for years money and man-hours were being wasted,
frittered away by Forces up and down the country on ridiculous and failed
ideas, both at local and national levels. Then the bright sparks that thought
up the ultimately futile ideas, or bolding reinvented the wheel, would still
gain an extra pip or crown on their shoulders for trying their best though - no
longer, however.
There are positives on the
horizon:
Firstly the financial crisis will
not last forever. The country has been strangled by such recessions before and
bounced back. The police service will learn, evolve and grow stronger. As a
consequence of the cuts the service is tightening the belt over its ample
girth, trimming the fat, being forced into efficiency. The wheat is being
separated from the chaff and those who cannot fulfil their roles effectively
will be removed from their position. Whilst maintaining warranted experience is
absolutely essential in certain positions, no longer will an experienced,
well-paid, ten year PC be able to hide away in an air conditioned office,
behind a desk, doing a role suitable for a civilian employee on half the money.
That experience will be moved back to the front line and police officers will
now have to justify their salary - which is absolutely correct.
Despite the falling officer
numbers crime is down - we know not to the extent of the fudged figures spouted
by the government, but despite all the negatives above we are still performing. A reason for police officers to hold their
heads high and something that cannot be lost on those who stroll the corridors
of power at Westminster. Apparently we are achieving more with less.
Expertise and personnel from
other industries is being introduced, fresh thinking integrated. Reluctantly
the police service has to now be run like a business, not a charitable entity
bailed out every year by the taxpayer. Whilst the short term burden placed on
the service will heighten anxiety at ground level, long term pressure to now
succeed and achieve will hopefully eradicate the complacency of before
resulting in efficiency and effectiveness i.e. more baddies off the streets,
happier victims and less crime overall – what we all strive for. It is also
worth mentioning the hard work shown by ‘Police Scotland’ – gradually proving
that collaboration might bear fruit and an example to some south of the border.
Although Reg A19 (the enforced
retirement of long-serving officers, for those perhaps not in the police) has
diluted overall experience, Forces are slowly beginning to recruit bright,
enthusiastic new officers. Desperately needed fresh blood is being injected. Finally
the importance of front line policing is being acknowledged, appreciated and
rewarded – and there’s the 10% shift allowance for unsocial hours (the only
positive I’ve noticed so far as a result of Winsor)! Cautious murmurings, again
from Winsor, imply that promotion will now be based on genuine aptitude and
proven ability, rather than having a face that fits coupled with the ability to
brown nose the way up the rank pyramid.
And, although public opinion in
low in some quarters, the impeccable way we policed last year’s Olympics and
Jubilee still lasts in the memory, the dignified and resilient response to the
police shootings in Manchester (12 months ago already), the way we continue to
effectively fight domestic terrorism and the fantastic job the men and women in
PSNI do are all further reasons to hold our heads high. Whilst it is easy to
believe we have lost the trust and respect of those we serve, you only have to
look across the channel to other European nations to reaffirm that in fact we
still have the support, appreciation and devotion of much of the general public
– and still without the need for the routine arming of our bobbies.
We must remember that we are the
police. Some love us, some despise us, but we perform our duties with pride and
a steely determination in the knowledge that, despite the obstacles put in our
path, ours is the good fight. We will come through this testing period even stronger,
leaner and better than before. Why did we become police officers? Because we
want to protect, serve and stand up for those who cannot do so for themselves;
because we care enough about the injustices in the world do to something about
it, and the cuts will not alter this. The British police will not be defeated
in their on-going battle against bureaucracy, austerity, crime and disorder. We
are family. We are protectors of the Queen’s peace. We are, and always will be,
police officers!
Sorry, I came over all Gene Hunt
in that last paragraph. Keep your chins up. There is light at the end of the
tunnel. Besides, who wants to go back to their boring 9-5 job anyway…
Thanks for reading the blog.
Please check me out on Facebook and Twitter. I am the author of two police
books: ‘I Pay Your Wages!’ and ‘Upholding Law and Disorder’ that are both
available in ebook and paperback form through Amazon and other retailers.
PS. We got a 1% pay-rise last
month!
PPS. If the above didn’t have the
desired effect and cheer you up, here’s a cute picture of a some dogs…
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