The Chair of Cleveland Police Authority has today stressed that 'the quality of our service to the public and the interests of our staff' will be the top priorities in deciding whether to go ahead with proposals for modernising Information Technology systems for the force -- and improving call handling services.
Councillor Dave McLuckie says the Authority how now agreed to a shortlist of three potential private sector partners to bid for provision of ICT services and some elements of 'customer care' work in the force Control Room.
The Authority Chair says he is disappointed that the trade union Unison has decided to campaign against the proposals -- especially since the Authority has made clear that the interests of staff would be a key factor in deciding on any private sector partner.
Said Councillor McLuckie "The progress we have made in recent years is because we have recognised that the challenges of modern-day policing require modern approaches -- including working with partners who have the resources and expertise to meet our requirements.
"That is why through our Private Finance Initiative we were able to deliver some of the best facilities in the country, why we were able to release more officers for front-line policing through civilianising our custody services and why we have led the way in providing mobile data technology for our officers on the beat.
"Our decision to examine the possibility of working with a partner in ICT and some Control Room functions is not, as has been suggested, about 'putting profits first' but it is about fulfilling our responsibility to deliver the most efficient and effective service to the public we serve. At this stage there has been no decision by the Police Authority to reach an agreement with a private sector partner. All we are doing is examining the potential for such an arrangement.
"It is also being suggested that any agreement with a private sector partner might compromise the call handling service to the public -- and the 999 service in particular. I want to make clear that would not happen. Indeed one of our objectives is to provide a better call handling service -- including, for example, introducing arrangements for timed home visits from officers and 'call back; systems to check whether people are happy with the service they have received.
"We have also made it clear that the Control Room will remain within the Force headquarters and the command function will be retained by the Force.
"We are committed to working with staff and their representatives as the process moves forward. I can understand that inevitably potential change can cause uncertainty and concern, but from the very beginning of this process we have sought to put the interests of staff at the heart of our considerations, as they have been in the previous arrangements we have reached with private sector partners."
Currently the Authority has agreed to short list three potential partners and this will eventually be reduced to two before any decision on whether or not to proceed.
18-8-09