14/09/2004
Customer service 'contract' for police unveiled
A new 'copper's contract' setting out the level of service people can expect when contacting the police for the first time has been launched today.
The contract's minimum standards, which will be in place in every police force over the next two years, are aimed to ensure that the public are able to contact police "speedily and are dealt with effectively".
Last year, 44% of the public had some form of contact with the police.
Speaking at the Superintendents' Association annual conference in Warwick, Home Secretary David Blunkett said that improving customer service to the public would be the "driving theme of the forthcoming police reform policy paper".
A national non-emergency number will be set up to complement the 999 are part of the plans.
Mr Blunkett said: "Over the next two years, the experience of a member of the public contacting the police must improve dramatically. Under new standards agreed with the police, every force in England and Wales will ensure everyone contacting them gets a good level of service. This is a vital part of my vision of a police service focused on serving the public."
The Home Secretary also pledged to further slash unwanted red-tape and police paperwork, enabling officers to spend more time patrolling the streets.
(gmcg/mb)
The contract's minimum standards, which will be in place in every police force over the next two years, are aimed to ensure that the public are able to contact police "speedily and are dealt with effectively".
Last year, 44% of the public had some form of contact with the police.
Speaking at the Superintendents' Association annual conference in Warwick, Home Secretary David Blunkett said that improving customer service to the public would be the "driving theme of the forthcoming police reform policy paper".
A national non-emergency number will be set up to complement the 999 are part of the plans.
Mr Blunkett said: "Over the next two years, the experience of a member of the public contacting the police must improve dramatically. Under new standards agreed with the police, every force in England and Wales will ensure everyone contacting them gets a good level of service. This is a vital part of my vision of a police service focused on serving the public."
The Home Secretary also pledged to further slash unwanted red-tape and police paperwork, enabling officers to spend more time patrolling the streets.
(gmcg/mb)
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UK sends policing advisors to assist in Iraq
Policing experts are traveling to Iraq today to advise on the stabilisation of the security situation and to participate in a review on how to rebuild the Iraqi police service. The team of four will be led by Chief Constable of Hampshire - and Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) international portfolio holder - Paul Kernaghan.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:This morning will be dry and rather cloudy, a little brightness here and there. Remaining dry this afternoon but still often cloudy. Fresh to strong westerly winds. Mild. Maximum temperature 11 °C.Tonight:This evening will be dry. Then the rest of the night will be mainly dry and mostly cloudy, although rain may reach the north coast later. Windy. Minimum temperature 7 °C.