22 Jul 2020
Collaboration work between Police Forces in Wales has been praised in a national report published this week by HMICFRS – PEEL Spotlight Report, ‘The Hard Yards’.
This week, Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMIRCFRS), published a report that provides a national perspective on police-to-police collaboration.
The report reviewed a number of high-profile collaborations and strategic alliances across England and Wales, and acknowledged a strong sense of ‘purpose’ and ‘desire’ to improve policing in Wales through the collaboration between the four Forces and Police and Crime Commissioners in Wales.
Dyfed-Powys Police and Crime Commissioner, Dafydd Llywelyn, who over the last year has been Chair of the Policing in Wales group, said: “I welcome HMICFRS’ report on collaboration and in particular the praise and recognition given to us for our all Wales collaboration work.
“Dyfed-Powys has been at the heart of the collaboration work, in particular over the last year during my time as Chair of the Policing in Wales group - previously known as the All Wales Policing Group.
“Since taking over as chair of the Group last year I have overseen discussions on a range of national matters, which impact on local policing.
“During the last year, we have managed to enhance relationships not only between the four Police Forces of Wales but with key stakeholders and partners.
“I have been at the forefront of the group’s response to Covid-19, attending meetings with Welsh Government on behalf of all four Commissioners to discuss with Deputy First Minister and the Chief Whip to ensure that Welsh Government are fully informed of the challenges facing officers as they worked to keep the public safe during lockdown.
“It is important to understand the unique dynamics of having devolved and non-devolved institutions in Wales and this key leadership forum for Policing in Wales provides a firm foundation for better collaborations and developing a distinct Welsh Policing identity, and it is encouraging to see that this has been recognised in this report.”
The All Wales collaboration programmes has agreed on three aims for collaboration which include a need to streamline IT systems; recruitment and human resource processes and training; and better alignment of policy and working practices. Over recent years, this agreement has set the direction for the All Wales collaboration, and the programme leaders have reported a change in how efficiently they are implementing the collaboration.
Dyfed-Powys Police Chief Constable Mark Collins said: “Dyfed-Powys Police has been at the heart of collaboration successes, and the desire to improve policing for our communities through collaboration is as strong as ever. It was pleasing to see that our work and direction was recognised as having a strong sense of purpose to improve policing for the whole of Wales through the All Wales Programme. Notable examples include the Joint Firearms Unit, and the award nominated All Wales Recruitment Programme.
“The Joint Firearms Unit (JFU) was established in 2012 as a collaboration between the three Southern Wales police services – Dyfed-Powys Police, Gwent Police, and South Wales Police. The new structure has seen firearms officers based at a number of locations across the Region, ready for deployment to incidents across the three force areas involved. The driving force behind this firearms collaboration programme (which includes the provision of joint training) was a desire to improve service delivery by sharing resources in order to enhance capability and capacity. Working in this way has meant that firearms officers are far more interoperable, in that they do things the same way across the board, including how they are deployed to incidents. A consistent and extensive training programme is delivered to firearms officers and Commanders throughout Dyfed-Powys, Gwent, and South Wales. The JFU provides increased access to resources whilst creating savings through training delivery and shared equipment costs.
“Nominated at the World Class Policing Awards, the All Wales Recruitment Process introduced one innovative, bilingual e-recruitment platform for all Welsh Police forces, that has vastly improved the service potential candidates experience. The design gives a consistent, streamlined and collaborative approach that enables each of the forces in Wales to work together for the benefit of anyone applying to any police service in Wales. It has reduced the application time, streamlined the process, and reduced bureaucracy – and is user friendly for the candidates and recruiters alike. It is a true collaboration between the Welsh police forces.
“These achievements have been as a result of a strong working relationship that has been forged between all four Chief Constables and Police and Crime Commissioners through the Policing in Wales group – and this forum will ensure continued delivery of collaboration at its best.
“We are committed to continuing to work towards reducing bureaucracy and improving efficiency through collaboration with other forces and Police and Crime Commissioners, and we acknowledge the areas identified in the report where we can further improve.”
ENDS
HMICFRS PEEL Spotlight Report – Hard Yards
More information:
- Gruff Ifan, Policy and Engagement AdvisorGruffudd.ifan.OPCC@dyfed-powys.pnn.police.uk
- Office of Police and Crime Commissioner for Dyfed-Powys
- Sian George, Dyfed-Powys Police Press Office: pressoffice@dyfed-powys.pnn.police.uk