Staffordshire Chief Constable: Policing with new pressures will not be easy

As Staffordshire's Chief Constable I'm delighted to be writing my first column as I approach my first 100 days. Time has certainly flown by!

Alongside getting to grips with being in a new role and 'discovering' Staffordshire I've spent time with officers and PCSO's on patrol, meeting members of the public to better understand the way we are serving your needs and to get your views about the service you receive.

It's been a pleasure to hear the positive stories you've told me about the officers and staff who work for the force, and especially the reassurance you were given by the increased visibility of officers in the wake of the terror attacks which continue to threaten our way of life.

But the threat from extremism is just one of the emerging challenges facing forces up and down the country, and Staffordshire is no different.

I want to use my column over the coming months to tell you how Staffordshire Police will be changing, and to involve you in that change so that we can continue to keep you safe.

Demand for police services is growing, with more than 9,000 additional incidents reported last year alone.

Many of these involve vulnerable victims, or people suffering from mental health illness who require specialist, sensitive handling alongside our partners in mental health services.

We've also seen a huge rise in the number of online crimes facing our communities, as elsewhere across the country – whether that's online fraud, threatening behaviour on social media, or the pernicious spread of online sexual abuse.

Tackling these requires a level of computer skills that weren't needed when I was on the beat.

Given the pressure on the budgets of every police force, doing more, with less, is a challenge that I don't believe we can continue to sustain.

I want to make the very best of every pound of public money I spend on your behalf and to think differently about how we police.

But innovation and creativity will not address a budget shortfall and I will continue to press government to revisit our budget.

In the midst of addressing new and emerging crimes I don't want to lose sight of the importance you place on a visible, community-based police force.

Neighbourhood policing is the bedrock of our force and will remain so – that's my continued commitment as your Chief Constable.

Indeed, investing more in neighbourhood policing is my ultimate ambition, although this will be a challenge.

We will have to find new and innovative ways to respond to incidents, while providing a first class emergency response.

Over the coming months you will hear more from me about the way the force must transform, how we will look to work with neighbouring forces and 'collaborate' around specialist resources, or work more closely with other blue light services.

These are just a few ideas that we are scoping along with digital enhancements including body worn video for taking witness statements.

We are one of the first forces in the country to trial this in a bid to improve your interactions with us 'the police' and to reduce the time we spend translating hand written notes.

It's currently being tested in Stafford and if it's a success we will roll it out across the county – it's just one of the ways we can work smarter.

But foremost in my mind will be keeping the public safe, and I'd like your views on an area that I mentioned at the start of my piece – armed policing.

Nationally, there is a debate within police forces about the number of armed officers and a potential increase in the number of officers carrying firearms.

What do you think? Would you be prepared to see more armed officers on our streets? Would you feel more or less comfortable, and would you find it easier or harder to relate to local officers?

I'd like to hear your views. On Wednesday October 4, I'll be taking part in a Facebook Live at 6.30pm. I want to hear your views about this and any other issues you have.

So I will finish where I started – welcoming your feedback on the good work of my officers.

While I know we don't always get it right, particularly if you've been a victim of crime, we are all committed to making sure the services we offer to all victims and witnesses are first rate.

I want you to have confidence in my officers that they will address need, deliver an excellent service and increase our conviction rates.

It's not an easy task, but it is one I am confident we can achieve.