A recent opinion poll by YouGov has found that faith in the police and criminal justice system to solve crimes and punish offenders is declining. Here in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland we have an excellent police force, but there is no room for complacency.
The survey found that only 12 per cent believe police would find and arrest a vandal who had damaged their property, just 22 per cent believe police would solve a burglary, and only 24 per cent are confident that a mugger or identity thief would be caught and arrested. There were only two crimes for which most people were confident that the police would catch a criminal – attempted murder (74 per cent) and domestic violence (56 per cent).
There is a need to build on the excellent established reputation of the police in Leicestershire and Rutland for having the support and respect of the public. That support and respect cannot be taken for granted. It has to be earned, not just once but each and every day.
I want police officers to take a pride in their work with one of the finest police forces in the country. That can be manifested in small things – looking smart on duty for instance or being polite to the public. And then there are the big things. All members of the public must be treated equally, no matter what their background might be. The law does not distinguish between rich or poor, black or white, Christian or Buddhist. Neither should the police. Those who break the law must be brought to book whoever they are. Police officers who do that will get my vocal and unqualified support.
Communication with the law-abiding public is key to policing with consent. That might involve newsletters, social media posts or attending parish council meetings. It might also involve regular reports back to victims of crime about how the investigation is going. It might involve high-visibility policing that will reassure the law-abiding as much as it deters those with evil intent. Engaging with the public is not a nice add-on to the duties of a police officer, it is an essential part of the job if we are to retain the support and respect of the public we serve.
Supporting our valuable police civilian staff improving call handling times supporting staff in the police communications department which is the publics first point on contact.
If elected as PCC, I intend to :
- Give our police the tools that they need to do the job;
- Speak out for our police force and individual officers whenever and wherever that is required;
- Develop a Police and Crime Plan that will prevent crime as much as tackle it;
- Speak to the public on behalf of the police;
- Speak to the police on behalf of the public.
- Build on the Neighbourhood Policing that is already taking shape to bring police closer to the public.
- I will work with the Chief Constable and his team to give all staff the resources and training that they need to meet the loss of so many experienced officers and the demands of keeping the public on our side.
Details of the survey can be found HERE
