Force planning to axe 120 jobs
Dyfed-Powys Police could cut up to 120 jobs over the next three years as the force tries to reduce its budget by £11.5 million.
The cuts, which include 55 redundancies, will be made in the civilian workforce, which currently has 823 staff.
Today the top brass pledged to maintain and improve front line policing in Mid Wales and to attempt to lose posts through "natural wastage".
The restructuring programme, called Public First, will include a reshaping of professional support services.
Chief Constable Simon Prince and Police and Crime Commissioner Christopher Salmon admit 118 jobs could go.
Montgomeryshire MP Glyn Davies said he was not suprised by the announcement as all public services were having to cut their budgets.
He said he would be meeting Mr Salmon to discuss the rationale behind Public First.
"The Dyfed-Powys force covers a huge area and it is vitally important to ensure front line services are not affected," he said.
The force says it has illustrated its commitment to community policing by announcing the creation of 30 constable posts, improved public access to police and developing a strategy against rural crime.
Mr Salmon said: "The public, under pressure financially themselves, constantly tell me they want strong front line policing. In modernising and streamlining our support services we will enable the police to do policing.
"The public can be assured that a great deal of thought and consideration has been given to these proposals."
Staff and managers have been informed of the proposals which include new employment terms and conditions for all support staff, a simpler management structure and fewer departments.
All staff are employed by the police commissioner but from April all but 16 will be employed by the chief constable.
Mr Prince said: "We seek to put the right people with the right skills in the right jobs."
Consultation has begun with trade union Unison on the proposed civilian structure and notice has been issued under Section 188 Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992.
Of the possible post losses, about 38 will come through not filling vacancies. Voluntary redundancy applications will be considered and police staff are being encouraged to apply for police officer and PCSO roles.
That will leave about 55 redundancies.
Mr Prince said: "I intend to reduce the number of redundancies to a minimum and no PCSOs will face redundancy."
