Agenda item

Purpose of the report: This report provides an update on Surrey Police’s delivery of the Government Police Officer uplift programme and wider commentary on key workforce planning issues.

Witnesses:

Lisa Townsend, Surrey Police and Crime Commissioner

Damian Markland, Head of Performance and Governance

Key points raised during the discussion:

Figures on staffing were tabled at the meeting and are appended to these minutes.

1. A Member highlighted the current low conviction rates for domestic violence against women and children and asked how the PCC would hold the Chief Constable to account. The PCC said that the new Chief Constable’s background in this area provided confidence to her, and things should improve however she also referenced challenges in the criminal justice system such as court delays which did not help. That said the PCC reminded members that they must be mindful of the language used in this area to ensure that victims remain confident in coming forward with allegations to the Police.  

2. The Panel requested further information on the survey on misogyny within the Force. The PCC advised that this work had been underway with an external provider for a year. This would commence with an anonymous survey for members of Surrey Police followed by a tailored programme based on the analysis of this feedback. The PCC offered to come back to the Panel with a further update on this work. The Head of Performance and Governance added that staff at the OPCC had much more access to information concerning conduct and vetting processes within Surrey Police and were actively monitoring this area in light of national developments.

3. A Member followed up with a question about recruitment safeguards. The PCC explained how Surrey vets all officers that transfer from one police force to another rather than relying on what’s been done before and how it was not unheard of for transfers into Surrey Police to fail its high bar for vetting.

4. A Member asked how many live cases Surrey Police had of allegations of sexual violence and/or domestic violence of serving officers within the force and also the status of carrying out investigation and of those being investigated, how many were still in an active policing role. The PCC did not have numbers available so agreed to write to the Panel.

5. The Panel asked about staff attrition rates and whether officers from minority groups were disproportionately leaving the service. The Head of Performance and Governance advised that this data was collected and would be provided to the Panel.

6. The Panel queried what constituted “specialist crime”. The PCC gave examples of the Paedophile Online Investigation Team, work on serious offences such as child abuse and rape.

7. The PCC was asked about the establishment figures for Police Community Support Officers. The PCC advised that they were recruiting for these roles, but it was challenging in Surrey with not only many current PCSOs becoming Police Officers but also those recruits who may have become PCSOs in the past now opting to become Police Officers instead.

8. A Member queried a recent quote from the Chief Constable that the new non-degree route into policing does not lead to a formal qualification; does this indicate that there are existing officers in Surrey Police who are not qualified. The PCC clarified that it meant that it does not lead to a degree qualification, but all officers are required to complete a formal training program to become fully trained officers.

Action/Further information to be provided:

• OPCC to share the Surrey response to the national HMIC inspection report on misogyny in the Police Service.

• OPCC to write to the Panel on the numbers referenced in paragraph 4 above.

• Breakdown of the demographics of those leaving the service.

• Clarify establishment and strength figures