|
Chief Constable Sir Jon Murphy and PCC
Jane Kennedy comment on Police funding announcement
THE Chief Constable Sir Jon Murphy, said:-
"Following the Chancellor's Comprehensive Spending Review issued in
November, we have today received confirmation of our funding for the next
year and an outline of what the overall funding will look like for the
Police service over the next 3 years.
It now appears that we may not have to cut as deeply, or as quickly, as we
had 1st anticipated, but there will still be a requirement to make
significant savings, changes and reforms, albeit over a slower period of
time. As a result we are revisiting proposals recommended in relation to the
structure of the Force.
The Force needs to continually adapt with the times if we are to meet the
constantly changing demands of the community. We have also identified that
there are still some areas where the Force could make changes to improve
efficiency and effectiveness, whilst at the same time enabling investment in
priority areas for the Force.
I am pleased say that at this stage the Force will not be pursuing some of
the planned changes announced in the autumn, which included considerations
to disband the Mounted Department and lose our Police Community Support
Officers (PCSOs).
However, it is important to stress that once we have more detail around
funding, the Mounted Department, will still be subject to further review .
We will also continue to review the required establishment of PCSOs.
As a result of today's announcement we can confirm that we will now be able
to avoid compulsory redundancy for PCSO's and will not be pursuing
termination of their contracts in the immediate future.
Additionally, we will now be in a position to recruit new police officers in
the New Year.
The last few years have, without doubt, been difficult and unsettling for
officers and staff within the organisation, but despite this they have
continued to maintain a professional and effective policing service for the
public of Merseyside.
I hope that the news today will bring them some cautious optimism for the
future and will give our communities some reassurance in relation to our
commitment to provide them with the best possible service." |
