Over the past year Northamptonshire Police has been working hard to prepare for the introduction of their new policing model, which will go live on Monday, 30th October 2017. These updates to their service is part of scheme to improve efficiency and ensure that their policing service is fit for the future.
They are changing the responsibilities of some roles, introducing new shift patterns, developing new teams and investing in more frontline operational officers and staff to ensure they meet growing demand. With regards to neighbourhood policing, added emphasis is being placed to ensure officers are based locally and known within the communities they serve. There will be a small reduction in the number of neighbourhood officers and staff, but importantly, the hours spent on community policing activities will not reduce.
Northamptonshire Police are also making encouraging improvements to telephone response procedures. Dedicated response officers will no longer routinely carry out detailed investigation work, giving them more time to focus on their core role of dealing with emergency and priority incidents. There is also the introduction of a new Managed Appointments Unit to improve the service they give to people reporting incidents that do not need an immediate response. This dedicated team of officers will provide appointments at police or community locations, meaning people can be seen more quickly at a pre-arranged time, allowing response officers and neighbourhood teams to remain visible and active on the front line.
I welcome the news that Northamptonshire Police are also investing in new, modern and more efficient buildings, replacing old outdated facilities, and co-locating with partners when they can. I am sure that these pledges will help to deliver a more efficient, modern, flexible and responsive service for the people of Daventry. They have also insisted that whilst these changes are being made, there will be no disruption to any of their services.
The hard working police officers and volunteers will continue to respond to calls as quickly as they can, police the neighbourhood's diligently, and investigate crimes to protect the vulnerable with the same high level of commitment, enthusiasm and expertise, whilst they continue to improve their service.