REVEALED: Why Wiltshire Police has been placed under special measures
The full report has been published
Last updated 7th Jul 2022
Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary have explained the reasons why that Wiltshire Police has been placed under "special measures".
The full inspection report has now been published which highlights the areas of concern.
They were graded on eight different areas.
Five "Requires Improvement" - preventing crime, investigating crime, treatment of the public, managing offenders, developing a positive workplace
Three "Inadequate" - responding to the public, protecting vulnerable people, good use of resources
In the report the HM Inspector said:
"I have concerns about the performance of Wiltshire Police in keeping people safe and reducing crime. In particular, I have serious concerns about how the force responds to the public, protects vulnerable people and makes use of its resources.
"In view of these findings, I have been in regular contact with the Chief Constable, as I do not underestimate how much improvement is needed."
One of the main areas highlighted for improvement is they need to improve how it protects vulnerable people from harm.
The inspection found that some domestic abuse victims in Wiltshire have received an unacceptable level of service and have continued to remain at risk.
Meanwhile, the force needs to improve the time it takes to answer emergency calls and the identification of repeat or vulnerable victims.
The way in which Wiltshire Police responds to the public is a cause for concern for the inspectorate.
They say the force are failing to understand and promptly identify vulnerability at the first point of contact.
So within three months, they should:
- improve the process of risk assessing callers to identify those that are vulnerable or at risk;
- make sure that call handlers are skilled enough to identify vulnerability and warning signs of hidden vulnerability;
- make sure that repeat callers (and others in their household who may also be vulnerable) are routinely identified;
- make sure that call takers give appropriate advice on preserving evidence and preventing crime.
The ways in which the public can contact the force should also be developed.
However, the report does show that Wiltshire Police does engage with its diverse communities to understand what matters to them, and understands how to behave fairly and uses effective communication skills in its interactions with the public.
'IMPROVEMENTS ALREADY UNDERWAY'
Wiltshire's Police and Crime Commissioner says he welcomes the report and isn't surprised with the findings.
That's because Philip Wilkinson says many of the cause for concerns were highlighted to him when he was campaigning for the role.
He told Greatest Hits Radio:
"I was not at all surprised by the findings because really the report was telling me what the public have already told me and the survey, Use your Voice, reiterated. The principle concerns relates to better community coordination and support we already knew that was a top priority, we're not looking after vulnerable people the way we should and all of this is largely driven by what I would describe as an incoherent command control system at the strategic level of the force, but we knew that and fortunately having identified that and being pointed in the right direction by our residents I have been working with the Chief Constable before this report, so that we can reorganise the way we do business at the strategic level and how we can much better serve the public."
Philip says work has already begun to make sure the improvements are made.
In a statement, he added:
“The Inspectorate's report is a sobering read and is highly disappointing especially when I know we have many dedicated officers and staff working hard to deliver a quality policing service.
“But it is absolutely clear from what I have been told by our residents, my own observations and now this report that there are areas of concern that need addressing: victims of crime, vulnerable people and our communities deserve better.
“My role as PCC is to scrutinise, challenge and support the Chief Constable and Wiltshire Police and my immediate priority is to ensure that Wiltshire’s Chief Constable, and his senior leadership team, put in place the necessary remedial measures to make the improvements highlighted in the report.
“This is particularly important in the Force’s response to the public and to vulnerable people and victims, in dramatically improving performance and the quality and effectiveness of investigations.
“My aim, alongside the Chief Constable, is for Wiltshire Police to provide a quality, effective, frontline policing service which prioritises those crimes which matter most to communities.
“Together, the Chief Constable and I will ensure the necessary resources are available to enable reform and to ensure improvements are rapidly implemented so we can begin to satisfy the Inspectorate and, more importantly, Wiltshire’s residents.
“I have received assurances from the Chief Constable that the necessary changes are in place and I will be receiving regular progress reports from him, and his senior leadership team, to ensure those remedial actions are completed as soon as possible."
You can read the full report on the HMICRFS website.