Police authority approves issuing of redundancy notices

Greater Manchester Police Authority has approved the issuing of 218 redundancy notices to Greater Manchester Police staff.

Redundancy notices will be issued to staff on Monday 10 October.

The decision was made at a meeting of the full Authority on Friday 7 October 2011 following a report from Greater Manchester Police outlining the outcomes following the statutory 90 day consultation period of the Support to Policing review.

This review, which encompasses roles that provide operational support across the Force, involves the reduction of 582 police staff posts and 255 police officers posts.

Due to voluntary redundancies and staff moving into other roles, 218 police staff are now at risk of compulsory redundancy. With 231 vacancies across the Force, every effort will made to redeploy staff before the end of the three month notice period.

As a result of police officer vacancies and transfers already completed, 107 police officers will be redeployed to frontline duties by January 2012.

Councillor Paul Murphy, Chairman of the GMPA, said: “Today we have approved the issuing of redundancy notices to 218 staff who carry out operational support functions across the Force.

“The Police Authority continues to work closely with the Force to minimise the impact on frontline services and provide support to those staff affected. We don’t underestimate the uncertainty and impact on our staff and their welfare is of paramount importance to us.

“There are currently 231 vacancies across GMP and we will continue to work closely with the Force and trade unions to redeploy as many staff as possible so that those who want to remain with the organisation have the opportunity to do so.

“This is a very challenging time for the Police Authority and the Force as we find savings of £134M over four years, while making sure we are in the best possible position to deliver the promises that have been made to the public.

“Ultimately our focus is on ensuring that GMP provides a quality, value for money police service to the people of Greater Manchester. We will continue to listen to staff and the public as we make difficult decisions and ensure we focus our limited resources in the most efficient and effective way.”

Chief Constable Peter Fahy said: “This remains a very painful time for GMP and we are just part way through a four-year long process.  However we are committed to ensuring that the excellent service provided by the Force continues, despite the decisions today.  

“This is why we are concentrating our efforts to ensure that the affect to frontline policing is kept to a minimum – and we are actually boosting this with an extra 107 police officers who we are moving out from the support roles.
 
“I understand that this is a devastating time for some staff and their families but in order to achieve the savings that are required, we have no option but to transform the way in which certain departments and parts of the Force work.”