Press Release
Federation warns financial cuts will devastate policing
13 September 2010
Regarding possible police cuts as a result of the coming Comprehensive Spending Review, Paul McKeever, Chairman of the Police Federation, says:
"We have asked our 43 Federation branch boards what the impact of a budget cut of 25 percent will mean for them. The results of those who have been able to reply to date make grim reading.
"Many forces have frozen recruitment and are not replacing police officers when they retire. A number are considering use of A19 to compulsory retire police officers with 30 years or more service.
"This all means we could potentially see a reduction in police officer numbers of anything up to 40,000 in the lifetime of this coalition government.
"The time has come for the government to come clean with the public. Budget cuts of this magnitude will affect frontline policing, whether it's domestic violence units, neighbourhood policing teams, air support units, dog units, public order units or general CID.
"The only winner will be the criminal - to them it's an early Christmas present. Especially when coupled with the Justice Secretary's intention to empty the prisons in favour of more failing community service order schemes.
"Our plea to government is simple. It's not too late; protect the police budget and protect your police service. Or else be honest with the public, as the level of policing currently delivered will not be sustainable if we have budgets cut by one quarter."
Article Comments
Front line policing must not take any cuts, if anything we must strengthen the neighbourhood police teams, as these units have been the best thing that has happened in recent years. After going on the Community Crime Fighters Course and giving up my time to try and make a difference in my Community I find that the backbone of the Police is being severed. Why have I bothered?
peter hartshorne
15th Dec 2010 at 10:25 pm
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