The latest inspection from the independent police watchdog, Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) has found that Staffordshire Police treats the communities it serves with fairness and respect.
The report also found that officers and staff are also treated with fairness and respect, and identified the strength of the force in ensuring its workforce behaves lawfully and ethically.
HMIC rated Staffordshire Police as “Good” overall in the report published 8th December, following the annual inspection of police force ‘legitimacy’ that took place earlier this year.
Deputy Chief Constable Nick Baker said: “This independent assessment recognises the strong, ethical culture that runs through the workforce at every level. Fairness and respect underpin the force’s vision and this is well understood by officers and staff. Overall this is a very positive report which shows the force is providing an effective, ethical and fair police service. DCC Baker continued: “I was particularly pleased that our wide-ranging and innovative engagement with the public has been highlighted, particularly the way we are using digital technology and social media to reach our communities.”
Inspectors found that the force ‘…has provided comprehensive training on the code of ethics… which reinforces standards of behaviour…’ The Code of Ethics includes accountability, fairness, integrity, honesty, openness and respect.
HMIC underlined that the force has a clear and authentic focus on wellbeing, detailing the ‘…increased level of awareness among the workforce.’
There were a small number of areas identified where the force could look to improve. This included finding new ways of obtaining information on the public’s perception of police treatment. Public being stopped and searched are being asked about their experience in a bid to start the work to improve.
Part of HMIC’s separate inspection of leadership, published alongside the legitimacy report, also praised the force for its clearly defined expectations of leaders.
DCC Baker said: “HMIC judged the force’s leadership principles – honesty, impartiality, fairness and respect – to be well understood by all officers and staff. This is vital in ensuring that they act in an ethical way and to challenge expectations appropriately. The Chief Constable and her senior officer team clearly set out these values and all staff are expected to lead by example.”
Also highlighted was the force’s collaboration with local universities, as was its partnership with Boeing to transform its IT capacity – which was highlighted as best practice in HMIC’s national overview of leadership. The force was also recognised for encouraging innovation with its Bright Ideas scheme – where staff at all levels are encouraged to put forward suggestions and innovative ideas. One example is a new initiative involving a group of organisations working together to support elderly members of the community, which was suggested by a PCSO.
HMIC did recommend that the force should conduct an evaluation of its leadership programme and talent management processes, in order to identify and develop potential leaders; work which is now underway.
Part of HMIC’s annual all-force ‘PEEL’ inspection programme, this is the second report on the legitimacy of police forces. The programme which examines how effective, efficient and legitimate the police forces of England and Wales are keeping people safe and reducing crime.
The inspection looked at many different issues: from the degree to which forces reflect the diversity of the communities they serve; whether the police workforce feel they are treated fairly; to the efforts made by the police to engage and communicate with their communities.
The legitimacy inspection can be graded ‘inadequate’, ‘requires improvement’, ‘good’ or ‘outstanding’.
Alongside the legitimacy report, HMIC also published its latest inspection of police leadership. Unlike other PEEL inspection reports, the leadership inspection is ungraded.
