ACPO response to Policy Exchange report 'Cost of Cops'

Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police and ACPO lead for Workforce Development, Peter Fahy said:

“It is crucially important the police officers are used in roles which require their expertise, powers and experience. That said, this doesn’t just apply to the frontline, there are many office-based jobs where police officers are required, including handling intelligence, delivering training, or processing offenders through the criminal justice system. All these roles support our service to the public and in times of emergency such as the recent disorder, all police officers can be deployed for operational duties.

“In the past police forces would be financially penalised if they went below a target number of police officers, and this has acted as a barrier to further civilianisation. That reflects historical political obsession with the number of police officers rather than the effectiveness of the overall workforce and service to the public. The reality is that there is little political will locally or nationally to support a reduction in the police officer headcount.”

For more information please contact:

ACPO Press Office
Association of Chief Police Officers
e: press.office@acpo.pnn.police.uk