Agenda item

Question 1

An officer in Folkestone told me recently that while the force locally is carrying out more recruitment than it has in years, the real issue is retention. Does the Commissioner recognise this as a particular challenge and, if so, what plans or measures are in place to address the problem of losing officers and the experience they take with them.

(Cllr Mike Blakemore, Folkestone and Hythe District Council)

1.    The Commissioner stated that retention of police officers was important locally and nationally, as forces did not want to lose skills and experience. The Performance and Delivery Board had recently discussed this issue, the minutes of which were available online. Kent Police worked to retain police officers by increasing the South East Allowance to the maximum £3000; providing them with new equipment; and lobbying the government on their behalf on changes to legislation to make the job less difficult, such as response driving and firearms policing. The force also supported officers on their decisions, such as using stop and search powers proportionately. Policies were also in place to help retain staff such as mutual exchange postings, a financial wellbeing hub, the Develop You programme, retention ambassadors, and occupational health facilities.

Question 2

In his role in holding the Chief Constable to account and following statements by the Home Secretary recently which said police should ‘follow every reasonable line of inquiry’ can the Commissioner reassure the Panel that where in areas where CCTV services are provided by local authorities (or indeed by private holders) where crime or suspected crime is committed, the information, images and data captured are fully and 100% utilised as part of the investigative process by Kent Police for each and every report of a crime or incident as part of the commitment and requirement to investigate each and every crime and indeed there is proactive engagement between Kent Police and CCTV systems provided by local authorities to ensure that crimes are proactively investigated and action taken by Kent Police.

(Cllr Shane Mochrie-Cox, Gravesham Borough Council)

2.    In response to the question, the Commissioner explained that authorised professional practice guidelines had recently been updated by the Home Office but depended on the circumstances of the case. It advised that police officers should identify CCTV near the location of a crime, including local authority or on private property. Police officers would then try to make links between CCTV through a digital ambassador programme, which would remove issues of collecting DVD or video CCTV evidence. 

Question 3

Can the Commissioner explain how he is holding the Chief Constable to account for the priority ‘protecting people from exploitation and abuse’ and the safeguarding of domestic abuse victims in particular?

(Cllr Richard Palmer, Swale Borough Council)

3.    In response to the question, the Commissioner explained that protecting people from abuse was one of Kent Police’s priorities. It remained a standing item on the Performance and Delivery Board agenda and the Chief Constable reported regularly on the priority. The PCC regularly visited with teams such as the Vulnerability Investigative Team who tackled abuse and the Chief Finance Officer represented the PCC on the Strategic Board and received bespoke briefings.

4.    Cllr Palmer queried how domestic abuse victims could contact the PCC, as they could be intimidated reporting to police officers. The Commissioner confirmed that victims could report direct to the PCC, and to charities and third parties such as Crimestoppers.

RESOLVED to note the responses to the questions.