Agenda item

Chief Constable's Connectivity Framework

Minutes:

Shaun Sawyer (Chief Constable), Dave Thorne (BCU Commander for Plymouth), Jim Pearce (BCU Commander for Cornwall and Isles of Scilly), Jim Colwill (BCU Commander for Devon) and Alison Hernandez (Police and Crime Commissioner) were present for this item.   Alison Hernandez introduced the item and reported that during past year had undertaken a consultation with the public.  It was very clear that connectivity with local police was not as strong as could be and as a result connecting policing and communities would be a clear theme throughout the Police and Crime Plan.

 

Shaun Sawyer ran through the presentation on the Connectivity Framework.  The Panel were advised that -

 

 

(a)

a cohort of officers based within stations working for communities but behind closed doors and as part of the connectivity was how we make these officers more visible;

 

 

(b)

local policing dealing with local, national and international issues;

 

 

(c)

neighbourhood police were the specialists within the community;

 

 

(d)

50 year anniversary celebrations took place within the communities celebrating our history;

 

 

(e)

part of the connectivity plan was to obtain greater consistency and to gain more public confidence;

 

 

(f)

connectivity builds on neighbourhood policing and this generation stills values PSCOs and a police presence on the streets.

 

Shaun Sawyer handed over to the BCU Commanders for Plymouth, Devon and Cornwall. 

 

Jim Colwill (BCU Commander for Devon) advised that Panel that –

 

 

(g)

the Devon BCU was one of the largest areas in the country;

 

 

(h)

they have 1000 staff and 150 PCSO’s, police volunteers and supported by an innovative senior support team;

 

 

(i)

they need to build the capacity to involve young people such as Police Cadets and the great work they do for us around crime prevention;

 

 

(j)

they were working in partnership to respond to issues around the night-time economy;

 

 

(k)

the Local Reference Group brings together independent advisors to discuss the delivery of policing and influence their work.

 

Dave Thorne (BCU Commander for Plymouth) advised the Panel that-

 

 

(l)

 

they have been working strongly alongside to members of the community;

 

 

(m)

the key priority for Plymouth was looking after our clients and people that we serve as well as the welfare of our officers to make sure they are supported.

 

Jim Pearce (BCU Commander for Cornwall) advised the Panel that –

 

 

(n)

he covers 9 policing areas in Cornwall including the Isles of Scilly which include just over 500 police officers and 150 support staff and a number of specials and volunteers;

 

 

(o)

strong relationship with statutory partners and the local authority;

 

 

(p)

the Business Plan was centred around vulnerability, such as CSE missing and domestic abuse and have a good collaboration with partners;

 

Shaun Sawyer concluded that this work falls under within the Police and Crime Plan and that neighbourhood policing was key.  They were aware of the inconsistencies but each BCU had different way of problem solving these isses.

 

In response to questions, the Panel were advised that –

 

 

(q)

they were not able to list all the activities but with regard to CCTV they were in talks with Taw Valley and other areas;

 

 

(r)

policing was tasked focussed and feedback to communities was key;

 

 

(s)

they were trained and equipped for speed checks as there had been a number of tragic incidents on major and minor roads this year.

 

The Panel noted the Chief Constable’s Connectivity Framework Report and presentations.

Supporting documents: