Among the changes announced by the Police and Crime Commissioner and Chief Constable at a news conference a short time ago (Monday 15th December) are:

• A new structure for operational policing
• A single neighbourhood command replacing six local policing commands
• A new centre for specialist crime and investigations
• More effective mobile working to allow officers and PCSOs to spend more time ‘on the beat’
• Common working practices across the entire Force area so that regardless of where officers work they will work in the same way
• Beat areas will stay the same but officers and PCSOs will be deployed beyond their own neighbourhood policing area if they are the nearest resource

The introduction of a new way of working, what the Constabulary calls its ‘Operating Model’, is the result of a two year long examination of all the constabulary’s finances, buildings and resources. The first changes will take effect early in 2015.

Police and Crime Commissioner Martin Surl, who began the review following his election in November 2011 said,

“I have to say that when I took office some aspects of the Constabulary were not in a great shape in Gloucestershire. That’s my personal view and I think I can show that to be the case.

“Now, the organisation is far more stable than it was. Even though the financial picture is tricky, we know where we are and our books balance. I’m not worried about it unduly. So I think we have managed to consolidate some of the gains we’ve made and can look forward to the future.”

Chief Constable Suzette Davenport said,

“Since Martin and I started working together, we have encouraged the development of a structure and culture that will allow Gloucestershire Constabulary to deliver a high quality service to the people of our county, by making the best possible use of our resources.

“The decisions we are making to realise these aims are based on solid evidence, recognised best practice from other forces and organisations, and by involving officers and staff in engineering new approaches.

“We need to improve public satisfaction and confidence in our force and ensure we can deliver the quality service we aspire to provide. A new way of working is a crucial means for us to deliver this aspiration.

“We are already making some important decisions and will continue to make more on where, when and how we work. All these decisions are intended to improve the service we offer to the people of Gloucestershire.”

The news conference was webcast live and can be viewed on the PCC’s website here http://bit.ly/policebriefing

presentation provided can be viewed here http://t.co/Vx78IqWp0B