Are police changes just cost-cutting? (From Halesowen News)

Are police changes just cost-cutting?

12:12pm Thursday 28th January 2010

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I am extremely concerned at yet another restructuring of West Midlands Police.

Readers may or may not be aware that under the West Midlands Police ‘Programme Paragon’ reorganisation, Sandwell will become one ‘Local Policiing Unit’ (LPU) rather than two Operational Command Units (OCUs) as it is now. Effectively, Oldbury and Rowley Regis will combine under the command of one Inspector, as will Wednesbury and Tipton.

I understand numerous other changes are underway, of which I have no knowledge.

Over many years, I have witnessed several reorganisational plans which on some occasions have led to dissatisfaction and lack of morale within the force, frequently highlighted by serving police officers on this letters page. I wonder how Officers on the frontline personally view these latest radical changes?

In the past, I have been known to be critical of the policing of Sandwell. However, I will not be the first to admit that over the last few years, the method of policing has led to a significant decrease in crime figures. The actual reporting of crime is still a matter of concern to many, particularly retail crime.

Neighbourhood Policing has been a success story, the target figures confirm this fact.

I am sure that I am not the only one to have been fortunate to see first hand the effects of the partnership agencies working together effectively to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour in Sandwell.

Communication and continuity appear to be basic principles of community policing where the residents actively work together with serving officers who know them and their ‘patch’ and become part of the community they serve.

The PCSOs do a stirring job and they have my admiration but they simply lack the power to enforce the law and the non law-abiding members of society know that only too well. A PCSO can never be a substitute for a police officer and I understand was never meant to be so.

For many years, I have publicly criticised the judicial system and will continue to do so. The punishment should fit the crime and I still believe that to be a fundamental precept.

I watch with disbelief, the many television crime programmes that repeatedly show how offenders are detained but then released -– although to viewers it is quite clear that they are guilty of the offence!

The frustration experienced by police officers must be soul-destroying, particularly when the evidence in a case is dismissed by the CPS (The Crown Prosecution Service – known by some as the Criminal Protection Society.) Residents and business representatives seek sustainability and will rightfully question as to why these changes are necessary. Needless to say, the question is being asked: Is this simply a cost-cutting measure and are further cutbacks envisaged?

Finally, I would like to pay tribute to Inspector Denise Clarke from Old Hill. A good working relationship developed over the last three years and I wish her well in her new post.

Mary Docker, Blackheath Ward Councillor

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