Wiltshire Police HAS BACKED out of special measures

The most recent police inspection follows

Wiltshire Police has been taken out of ‘special measures’ by HMRC & Rescue Services (HMICFRS).

Following its most recent inspection in March this year, the police watchdog found the force had made “significant and sustained improvements to the service it provides”.

The organization was brought into the Engage process in 2022 after being rated as ‘inadequate’ in its ability to respond to the public, protect vulnerable people and strategic planning.

The removal from the Engage process is active as of today (Tuesday).

Fundamental changes made

Chief Constable Catherine Roper said the news reflected the commitment of everyone in the force to improve services to the communities of Wiltshire.

The force has made a number of “fundamental” changes since Chief Constable Roper took charge of the organization in February 2023.

These include:

• Introducing a new policing model that creates dedicated neighborhood teams that provide increased visibility and engagement with our communities

• Significant improvements in the quality of our investigations

• Increased governance around how we monitor our performance and map demand

• Publishing a three-year strategic plan outlining our priorities and key deliverables

It has resulted in improved victim services, ranging from shorter response times to 999 and 101 calls, more people being protected through earlier identification of vulnerable people, better quality investigations and increased justice outcomes.

The boss aims higher

However, the boss is not satisfied and has set his sights on making the force “exceptional”.

She said: “Today’s news is testament to the firm commitment of everyone at Wiltshire Police to improving the services we provide to our communities.

“This is a significant development in our improvement journey, but it does not imply any complacency on our part – we fully recognize that there is still much to improve.

“We know what we need to focus on and have a detailed roadmap to make sure nothing distracts us from driving our improvements.

“However, this represents a substantial moment in our journey towards our aspiration to be an outstanding police force.”

The chief thanked his colleagues, local partners, communities, the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) and the assistance of national partners, including the Police College, the National Council of Chief Constables, other police forces and the Home Office.

Chief Constable Roper added: “I look forward to supporting our further improvement, becoming a police force that provides an outstanding service to our communities and above all supports our commitment to keeping Wiltshire Safe.”

The force will now enter a ‘scanning’ phase of HMICFRS monitoring, which will see performance monitored quarterly to ensure improvements are sustained.

PCC decided to continue to make the county safer

Wiltshire PCC Philip Wilkinson welcomed the news.

He said: “It has been a shared priority of Wiltshire Police and my office to ensure significant reform across all areas of the organization to provide a stable basis for all the necessary improvements to enable the Force to operate strategically but enable and deliver the police service it knows it should – and that our residents want and need.

“The vision and leadership of Chief Constable Catherine Roper has meant that change is being delivered at pace across the force: a new group of chief officers and a tightened command structure, essential strategic direction, streamlined boards, a new performance framework and a focus on the provision of operational police. alongside a focus on improving operational corporate governance.

“This has ensured that Wiltshire Police operates as it should – enabling and empowering the Force’s excellent officers, staff and volunteers to improve its operational performance across the board. Now we need to ensure that those operational improvements are supported by improvements in our corporate support services.

“As a result, Wiltshire Police has been able to demonstrate to the PPOG that it is consistently and consistently improving its hit rates against all types of crime and is actively delivering on its priorities and focus in my current Police and Crime Plan – written after a broad consultation. with our communities when I was first elected.

“My immediate aim will be to update the Policing and Crime Plan – again informed by our communities – to set out the strategic operational policing plan for the next four years and to redouble the collective efforts of my office and Wiltshire Police to deliver our residents’ priorities and address the crimes that matter most to them.

“Working together we will continue to make Wiltshire safer.”

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