More officers on the front line

Thursday, 03 March, 2011



Kent Police has presented plans to the Kent Police Authority for a new policing model as part of the force's modernization programme, with a commitment to protect and increase the frontline of policing in the county despite a challenging budget settlement.

Number of neighbourhood officers to increase by 50%

This will see neighbourhood officers increasing by fifty percent from around 800 officers and staff to 1200, ensuring front line policing is enhanced and delivers the service that the public of Kent expect.

Chief Constable Ian Learmonth said: 'I am determined that front line policing is prioritised as part of our restructuring plans. The police authority has endorsed a new model that will
see fifty percent more officers for neighbourhood policing. This will provide a quicker and
more efficient response to persistent policing problems, helping us get it right first time, working with local people to ensure crime and disorder are effectively tackled.

'It has been an extremely challenging process, and it certainly wont be pain free as we need to make a twenty percent budget reduction, which equates to 1,000 staff posts and 500 officers. We are fundamentally redesigning the policing model for Kent by streamlining and rationalizing support services and re-aligning some of our specialist policing functions
to continue to deliver a first-class service. Already, we have made significant savings by running joint departments in our collaboration with Essex Police and this will continue to
be part of the solution for a more efficient force for the future.'

Collaborative working is making best use of resources, skills and experience. Kent Police and
Essex Police have one of the largest joint Serious Crime Directorates in the country. There are also joint procurement, information technology and marine units with collaborative working making best use of resources, skills and experience.

Police response will be managed from the Force Contact and Control Centre, ensuring the nearest officer attends an emergency call, allowing officers to cross over into other divisions to provide the fastest, most efficient response.

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