Police officers in England and Wales are bogged down in red tape and afraid to use their own judgement, the chief inspector of constabulary has said.
Police officers in England and Wales are bogged down in red tape and afraid to use their own judgement, the chief inspector of constabulary has said.
In an interim report, Sir Ronnie Flanagan said forces would "over-record and under-deliver" for fear of missing something or being criticised.
In an interim report, Sir Ronnie Flanagan said forces would "over-record and under-deliver" for fear of missing something or being criticised.
And he said "excess bureaucracy" must be cut to free up police time.
And he said "excess bureaucracy" must be cut to free up police time.
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said changes were needed to make police "more effective" at fighting crime.
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said changes were needed to make police "more effective" at fighting crime.
Sir Ronnie did praise the strategy of Neighbourhood Policing in England and Wales which he said was delivering results.
Sir Ronnie did praise the strategy of Neighbourhood Policing in England and Wales which he said was delivering results.
We risk diverting officers' priorities to recording crimes rather than getting out on the streets solving them and preventing them Sir Ronnie Flanagan
But he said local police must work more closely with councils, schools and other bodies to really make a difference.
But he said local police must work more closely with councils, schools and other bodies to really make a difference.
Sir Ronnie said: "It is clear from these initial stages of my review that there are a number of areas where improvements can be made in these areas to ensure a fully effective and modern police service."
Sir Ronnie said: "It is clear from these initial stages of my review that there are a number of areas where improvements can be made in these areas to ensure a fully effective and modern police service."
We risk diverting officers' priorities to recording crimes rather than getting out on the streets solving them and preventing them Sir Ronnie Flanagan
'Risk-averse'
'Risk-averse'
In the interim report of his Review of Policing published on Wednesday, Sir Ronnie sets out his ideas for a "cultural change" within the police.
In the interim report of his Review of Policing published on Wednesday, Sir Ronnie sets out his ideas for a "cultural change" within the police.
"A more risk-averse society has led to a more risk-averse police service, which will at times over-record and under-deliver for fear of missing something or being vulnerable to criticism," he says.
"A more risk-averse society has led to a more risk-averse police service, which will at times over-record and under-deliver for fear of missing something or being vulnerable to criticism," he says.
Among his recommendations are:
Among his recommendations are:
A drive by police chiefs to encourage officers and staff to "rediscover their discretion to exercise professional judgement"
A drive by police chiefs to encourage officers and staff to "rediscover their discretion to exercise professional judgement"
The introduction of voluntary police community support officers to supplement neighbourhood teams
The introduction of voluntary police community support officers to supplement neighbourhood teams
The creation of standardised forms for recording crimes to minimise excess bureaucracy
The creation of standardised forms for recording crimes to minimise excess bureaucracy
A nationwide consensus on "what is and isn't important" for police to record in an effort to cut paperwork
A nationwide consensus on "what is and isn't important" for police to record in an effort to cut paperwork
Sir Ronnie added: "We risk diverting officers' priorities to recording crimes rather than getting out on the streets solving them and preventing them."
Sir Ronnie added: "We risk diverting officers' priorities to recording crimes rather than getting out on the streets solving them and preventing them."
'Virtual courts'
'Virtual courts'
The interim report also suggested that greater use should be made of technology to free up police time.
The interim report also suggested that greater use should be made of technology to free up police time.
For example, Sir Ronnie said government should consider making use of new mobile technology which could give officers on patrol much more information.
For example, Sir Ronnie said government should consider making use of new mobile technology which could give officers on patrol much more information.
Just from his proposal on case file management, we could save 400,000 hours of police time Home Secretary Jacqui Smith
Just from his proposal on case file management, we could save 400,000 hours of police time Home Secretary Jacqui Smith
And he said ministers should consider the widespread introduction of "virtual courts" where defendants appear before magistrates via a video link from a police station, thus saving time and resources.
And he said ministers should consider the widespread introduction of "virtual courts" where defendants appear before magistrates via a video link from a police station, thus saving time and resources.
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said 75% of the country was currently covered by Neighbourhood Policing teams, and by April next year every neighbourhood would have one.
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said 75% of the country was currently covered by Neighbourhood Policing teams, and by April next year every neighbourhood would have one.
She said she accepted the need for an urgent reduction in red tape, adding that it would "make a real difference to every community".
She said she accepted the need for an urgent reduction in red tape, adding that it would "make a real difference to every community".
"Sir Ronnie has identified several measures through which we can cut bureaucracy," Ms Smith said.
"Sir Ronnie has identified several measures through which we can cut bureaucracy," Ms Smith said.
"Just from his proposal on case file management, we could save 400,000 hours of police time - that is the equivalent of 200 officers."
"Just from his proposal on case file management, we could save 400,000 hours of police time - that is the equivalent of 200 officers."
Shadow police minister David Ruffley said there had been too many broken promises from the government.
Shadow police minister David Ruffley said there had been too many broken promises from the government.
"We've heard from ministers in the last year that 9,000 forms have been cut," he said. "The police don't believe that and ministers can't tell us which forms have been cut.
"We've heard from ministers in the last year that 9,000 forms have been cut," he said. "The police don't believe that and ministers can't tell us which forms have been cut.
"Our police are form writers now, not crime fighters. Less than a fifth of their time is spent on the beat - and that's got to change."
"Our police are form writers now, not crime fighters. Less than a fifth of their time is spent on the beat - and that's got to change."
Sir Ronnie was asked to conduct his independent review in his capacity as the home secretary's senior professional adviser on policing.
Sir Ronnie was asked to conduct his independent review in his capacity as the home secretary's senior professional adviser on policing.
Are you a current or former police officer? What is your reaction to this story? Send us your experiences by filling out the form below.
Are you a current or former police officer? What is your reaction to this story? Send us your experiences by filling out the form below.
