D&C Police given a good bill of health by HMIC

Devon and Cornwall Police has received a ‘Good’ rating of performance from independent inspectors.

Her Majesty’s Inspector of Constabulary, (HMIC), today, Thursday February 25, 2016, publishes its Annual PEEL report looking at policing effectiveness, efficiency, and legitimacy.

The report says Devon and Cornwall Police keeps people safe, reduces crime, understands the needs of local communities and works well with partner agencies.

It gives further credit for tackling anti-social behaviour and devising ‘innovative ways of working’ during peak demand – particularly summer policing.

Assistant Chief Constable Russ Middleton welcomed the report which rates Devon and Cornwall as one of the best performing police forces in the country.

Mr Middleton said: “At a time of austerity and reduced policing resources, having an independent report giving such a positive view of Devon and Cornwall Police is a huge credit to all our officers and staff.

“Our mission is to detect harm, protect the vulnerable and reduce crime – all areas the HMIC say we are doing well.

“We want to work together with partners and communities to make them feel safer, and again, the report says we are doing this to a high standard.

“Policing by consent is a cornerstone of our work in Devon and Cornwall and having our communities engaged and involved with this is critical.”

Ensuring services are in place to protect children subject to sexual abuse and improving services to victims of crime, are marked as areas to monitor by the report, but it acknowledges progress is already being made in these areas.

Mr Middleton added: “We have invested heavily in fighting cyber crime and those ‘hidden’ areas of policing the public may not see or appreciate.

“Working with partners to better deal with missing children and protect vulnerable parts of communities are areas we are already seeing dramatic change.

“We have to ensure we continue to plan and evolve so we change as society changes, and our force maintains a visible presence on whatever frontier we may be fighting crime.

“A British Crime Survey report in January 2016 said we have the highest rating of any police force in the country when our public are asked if their local police are doing a good job – long may that continue.”

Today’s report has also given credit to clear leadership and direction from officers and staff across the Force.

It says, ‘HMIC is reassured that leaders across the force are receiving a clear and consistent message. The force understands the current status of its leadership at every level, which includes an understanding of leadership capacity and capability.’

Mr Middleton said: “Leadership is key to those at every level of the organisation understanding what they can do to make our communities safe and work towards achieving the Force’s mission – providing a high quality policing service to the public.

“I’m confident that we can build on this overwhelmingly positive assessment and in the next year see Devon and Cornwall Police build on the encouragement this report brings while further maintaining those strong links with our partners and communities which already exist.”