200 new officers for Greater Manchester police

Plans have been drawn up to boost frontline policing in Greater Manchester by 200 officers.

The proposals, which include an investment of £11.5m in IT systems, will be reported to Greater Manchester Police Authority (GMPA) on Friday (15 January) and include an increase of 200 officers in neighbourhood policing teams.

Other features of the report to be presented include details of 30 officers and 12 police staff to be assigned to Public Protection Investigation Units.

GMP’s Chief Constable Peter Fahy said: “We’re changing the way we work. We’re removing bureaucracy and the barriers we face so we can increase the effectiveness of staff and improve our performance in tackling crime and anti-social behaviour.

“Our focus is on reducing corporate costs and ensuring frontline services are supported. This is essential if we are to continue to drive up confidence in policing whilst being fully prepared for a difficult financial future.”

GMP’s report to Friday’s special meeting of GMPA is an update on the Force’s modernisation and change programme.

The programme is aimed at delivering savings without impacting on frontline services. It includes the implementation of a new local policing model, which features specialist roles focused on frontline policing.

Friday’s report states that the strengthening of the frontline will be achieved by moving officers out of administrative roles into frontline roles and investing £11.5m in IT and business systems to free up officer time.

The Force will also reduce the cost of vehicles by 10% and fuel consumption by 10% to free up resources.

Chief Constable Fahy said: “The workforce modernisation programme is not a knee-jerk reaction to the recession. It is a long-term plan, which will ensure GMP puts people first as it moves into a new era of policing.

“The programme is informed by projects which have been running for a number of years, projects which have helped us identify where savings can be made in a way which protects and enhances the frontline.”

An important element of the change plan is the civilianisation of 200 police officer posts and the disestablishment of 100 police officer posts engaged in non-frontline duties in 2010/11.

GMP says this is a “key-enabling strand” which will provide the room for manoeuvre, which is required to get officers on the frontline in roles, which make best use of their powers.

The report to GMPA Members is provided for information only ahead of February’s full GMPA meeting when the 2010/11 police budget will be set.

GMPA chairman Cllr Paul Murphy said: “It’s important GMPA Members are aware of all projects with financial implications before the budget for the year is set if we are to set a spending plan which uses resources in the best way.

“Friday’s report provides us with all we need to know about plans to modernise GMP and these will of course be considered when we discuss and set the budget for 2010/11.”
Other items on the agenda on 15 January include plans for the new North Manchester HQ and refurbishment of Collyhurst Police Station.

The proposed developments are the latest phase in GMPA’s Estate’s Strategy, which is funded in a different way to operational costs such as staff. This enables the Authority to continue investment in the provision of police buildings at a time when savings must be made in other areas.