Force makes pledge to cut red tape
Staffordshire Police says it is stepping up efforts to cut red tape and free officers to spend more time in communities.
Staffordshire Police says it is stepping up efforts to cut red tape and free officers to spend more time in communities.
After publication of a Reducing Bureaucracy in Policing Report, the force continues to look at ways to cut paperwork.
Yesterday's report, which can be found on the Home Office website, makes reference to the positive actions which have already been taken by the county force. The Staffordshire police force was part of the national Four Force Pilot which focused on crime recording.
This pilot aims to cut paperwork and free up time for staff to deal with matters that are of most concern to communities.
Examples included the introduction of professional judgment, the short crime report and the use of handheld mobile data devices to streamline the crime recording process. As a result of the pilot, the project has now been adopted and implemented by the force and is part of daily business.
In the report, one of the recommendations is that the work of the Four Force Pilot should be formally recognised as good practice, promoted and introduced by all forces.
Assistant Chief Constable Douglas Paxton said: "It is good news that a scheme driven forward and already adopted in Staffordshire is now set to be rolled out across England and Wales.
"Since the introduction of the project in Staffordshire, real progress has been made. Officers are spending less time tied up with paperwork and more time out in the communities they serve. We are determined to continue with this course of action.
"Our aim is to keep improving the service we provide to the public and to increase their levels of satisfaction and confidence in us.
"Less time spent on unnecessary paperwork ensures that, together with our partner agencies, we are spending more time tackling the issues that matter most to our communities.
"Staffordshire Police has enjoyed a very productive working relationship with Jan Berry. The force has helped to influence some of the recommendations in her report. There has been some excellent community-based work that has taken place in Staffordshire.
"This is also reflected in the report and a national training and awareness DVD which accompanies it."
