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Leicestershire Police Authority

Leicestershire Police Authority plans for the future January 28th 2010

  M E D I A   R E L E A S E     M E D I A   R E L E A S E

Following the HMIC (Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary) and Audit Commission inspection, which took place in September 2009, and reached the decision that Leicestershire Police Authority (LPA) was performing ‘adequately', the members have taken significant steps to address the areas which the inspectorate deemed in need of improvement.

The overall findings of the inspection were positive, showing the Authority's clear commitment to and fulfilment of its key responsibilities towards Neighbourhood Policing, delivering the Policing Pledge, improving public confidence, setting high professional and ethical standards and having a focus on value for money.  There were, however, areas identified where performance could be improved.

Byron Rhodes, Chairman of Leicestershire Police Authority, comments:

"Areas for Improvement (AFIs) mainly concern the effectiveness of gathering and acting upon consultation, and its use in the monitoring and scrutiny of the performance of the Force. The Authority has every confidence in the capabilities of the Force's acting leadership team - Chris Eyre, Gordon Fraser, Wendy Yeadon and Chris Garnham - all of whom are making a significant contribution to the smooth delivery of policing until the permanent senior posts are filled.

 "The primary aim of the Authority is to ensure that the people of Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland experience the best possible service from its Police Force.  Our members are fully committed to ensuring the Force delivers this, and we therefore welcome this appraisal of our performance - especially the good but also the ‘could do better". 

He continues: "The criticisms within the HMIC report have received our full attention, and the Authority has enlisted the help of the National Policing Improvement Agency to help us find the way forward.  We have already taken some positive steps to improve the areas in which we need to improve our performance, and both long and short-term remedies are included in the resultant Improvement Plan that was presented at the full Authority meeting on 26th January.  We are looking forward to the future with renewed confidence."

The Improvement Plan is available to view on the Leicestershire Police Authority web site, http://www.leics-pa.police.uk/ from 27th January 2010.

 

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Notes to Editors:

Leicestershire Police Authority's role is to ensure Leicestershire Constabulary provides efficient and effective policing in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.

Leicestershire Police Authority is made up of 17 members; eight independent members and nine councillors nominated by local authorities (four Conservatives, three Labour and two Liberal Democrats).

Police Authorities are independent bodies made up of local people.  Police Authorities hold the Police Force to account on behalf of local communities.  One of their duties is to appoint senior officers, such as the Chief Constable, to the Constabulary.

Local Police Authorities along with the Home Secretary and Chief Officers of Police make up the tripartite relationship which is responsible for the governance of policing in England and Wales.

For any queries arising from this media release, please contact Nigel Tompkins at Better Times, tel 07860 206565.