Decision details

Witnesses:

David Munro - Surrey Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC)

Key points raised in the discussion:

1.    The PCC stated that he was asked six months ago about how big Surrey Police should and that question had not been asked before.

2.    The paper contained a serious assessment by each department on the number of staff they had said would be necessary for effective policing.

3.    The Chief Constable’s professional opinion was that an uplift of 500 officers and staff was an aspirational target and a blueprint for future expansion.

4.    In response to a Member question, the PCC noted that the retention rate was a large worry and the force could not prevent leavers to other forces. It was crucial to encourage potential leavers to stay as there was particular competition from the neighbours Sussex Police and the Metropolitan Police who offered more flexible work arrangements. The main reason for leaving Surrey Police was the work-life balance, as cited in exit interviews and the Chief Constable (CC) was addressing that through a more modern working environment.

5.    The PCC noted that the cost of living in Surrey was high especially accommodation and the CC had increased officers’ pay under strict criteria, which was covered by the budget.

6.    The PCC acknowledged the Member’s concern that transfers out meant the double loss of losing police officers and the cost of training new recruits. The PCC stressed that there were transfers in too, including detectives who moved from the Metropolitan Police to Staines Police station - the general shortage of detectives was a worry as they were highly skilled.

7.    The PCC was happy for retention rates and the amount of detectives to be included in the detailed paper on recruitment going to the Panel at a future meeting.

8.    In response to a Member question over the police force being an all-graduate profession, the PCC noted that all new future recruits would be expected to have a degree either from university which would be converted, or through the in-service Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship (PCDA) - the PCDA was free, but had a high abstraction rate, meaning trainees could not be on the frontline. The PCC was yet to receive the cost ratio difference between the PCDA and those already with a degree, once obtained the Panel would receive that information.

RESOLVED:

That the Police and Crime Panel noted the Surrey Police plans for recruitment and workforce planning.

Actions/Further information to be provided:

1.    The PCC was happy for retention rates and the amount of detectives to be included in the detailed paper on recruitment going to the Panel at a future meeting (R51/19).

2.    R56/19: The PCC will inform the Panel of the cost ratio difference between the Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship (PCDA) and the conversion course for those already with a degree.