27 Nov 2020
Police and Crime Commissioner Dafydd Llywelyn has committed to ensuring that Dyfed-Powys Police and the Office of Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) operate in a greener, more sustainable and environmental friendly way in the future having seen organisations and businesses being forced to find alternative ways of working as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
With the majority OPCC staff managing to work efficiently from home since the middle of March 2020, the PCC and his Executive Team took a decision over summer months to relinquish 30% of the OPCCs office space at Police Headquarters in Llangunnor, Carmarthen, which has now been reallocated to the Welsh Ambulance Service.
Police and Crime Commissioner, Dafydd Llywelyn said; “What we found when we were all forced to stay at home as a result of the pandemic earlier this year, was that we were still able to provide and maintain a high level of service to the public and partners, and in fact, we were more efficient.
“As a result, in looking to the future, we are looking to ensure a smarter approach and encourage agile working where staff can work remotely while we operate a hot desking system within our Office
“Less staff working at Police Headquarters, means we spend less on electricity, there’s less paper being printed, we are travelling less to and from work, meetings are held virtually rather than face to face, so we have significantly reduced our carbon footprint, as an organisation, and also as individuals.
PCC Llywelyn earlier this year also made a commitment to invest in 11 electric cars for the Force, with the aim of cutting carbon emissions and working towards a more sustainable future. Neighbourhood Policing Teams across the force will soon welcome the new vehicles, which will be used for community engagement and targeted problem solving work.
An e-Bike charging station is also in the process of being installed at Aberystwyth Police Station following funding from Ceredigion County Council, and the OPCC also recently received a certificate to acknowledge that electricity purchased by the Force is supplied entirely through renewable sources.
PCC Llywelyn said; “We have learnt a lot from our experiences of this pandemic. One thing is for sure, when this current, unprecedented time is over, not only will this new, smarter and efficient way of working continue, but we will also look to identify ways of taking further environmentally friendly steps to reduce our carbon footprint, minimise fuel consumption, and also experience the benefits of renewable energy.
“I’m committed to ensuring that we have a greener and sustainable organisation and that we take an environmentally friendly approach to policing for the future”.
ENDS
