West Mercia Police recruiting 90 new officers

Another 90 officers are being taken on by West Mercia Police, which is expecting more than 600 applications this week alone.

The recruitment comes days after the Shropshire Star revealed overall policing numbers for the force had fallen by more than 300 in the past eight years.

Today Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion, in an open letter for the Star, insisted he was committed to ensuring there were enough officers to run the force effectively.

He said: “The public want visible, accessible policing focused on resolving the problems in our communities.

"I am delivering this by protecting the frontline, bolstering police numbers through this recruitment drive and prioritising resources to keep our communities safe.

“The level of interest is already encouraging, and we expect a high standard of applicants who reflect the diversity in our communities, and will deliver the quality service our communities deserve.”

Mr Campion said he was pleased to have the funds to take on new officers, adding that some forces have not been able to recruit because of financial constraints.

Top cops welcome recruitment drive

Senior police today welcomed the addition of the extra 90 officers.

The officers are being recruited across the West Mercia force area, and the news comes after figures showed that overall policing numbers for the force had fallen by more than 300 in the past eight years.

Chief Superintendent Kevin Purcell, policing lead for Shropshire and Telford said he welcomed the additional officers and urged people to apply for the positions.

He said: “I fully support the drive to recruit new officers for West Mercia, policing is a great career and I would encourage anyone who is interested to apply.

"I welcome any new resources that add to our efforts to ensure we keep people safe and respond to calls from the community."

West Mercia has seen a decline in police officers of 370 over recent years, with the numbers dropping from 2,391 to 2,017 between 2010 and September 2017.

Chief Supt Purcell said he wants to make sure his officers are seen in communities, and that people become more accustomed to contacting them over any concerns they have.

He said: "My absolute priority is making sure my police officers are visible and accessible to the public, that is the best way they can solve problems in their local communities, finding out what their concerns are and what matter the most to them.

"We’ve carried out a lot of work recently to make sure members of the public know who their local officer is and how they can contact them, along with making sure our mobile station is out and about in our communities.

“I would continue to encourage people to find out who their local officer is, they can find out by visiting our website, and if they have any local concerns to get in contact.”

Martin Evans, assistant chief constable of West Mercia Police said: “Policing has changed over time but it remains one of the most challenging, unpredictable yet utterly rewarding jobs I know.

“A career with West Mercia Police is one that I recommend to anyone who wants to make a positive difference every day to the lives of the people in their community.”

‘Frontline policing matters most’

West Mercia Police Commissioner John Campion explains why recruitment of new officers is essential:

Today sees the start of another round of recruitment for new officers within West Mercia Police.

It’s the second time this year the force has taken on new officers. Last time saw more than 600 applications to the force over little more than a weekend and I am sure there will be a lot of interest this time as well. In total 90 new recruits are expected to join West Mercia during 2018/19.

It is always pleasing to see new recruits enter policing, but particularly so when considering the work that has gone in just to make this recruitment possible.

New police officers sign a contract for 35 years’ service.

It is a long term commitment for themselves, but also from the police force. Police officers cannot be made redundant, so the force must be sure of its financial footing before it makes that commitment.

Not every police force is in this position and I am pleased that we are in West Mercia.

That situation has not happened by accident.

A solid financial base has been established over a number of years and I have worked to build on that platform since my election.

I am committed to ensuring our police force delivers a sustainable service, as well as being effective, efficient, visible and accessible to the communities it serves.

Ensuring regular and consistent recruitment to get the force up to its full establishment is a vital part in achieving that goal.

I also promised when I set this year’s budget that I would protect levels of frontline police officers and PCSOs. This recruitment is evidence of that promise being delivered.

This recruitment is possible because big changes are happening behind the scenes within the police force, which are helping to ensure as much money as possible is actually being spent on policing.

Efficiencies are being delivered in bureaucratic back-office functions.

Plans are being put in place for police to share more buildings with local partners to reduce estate costs.

These changes free up more money to go into what matters most – frontline policing.

These changes will continue and are the reason that the force can continue officer recruitment, whilst I have also delivered by far the lowest council tax increases of any police force nationwide in both of the last two years.

Policing is not just a numbers game though and other changes have also been made recently to try and make the police service in the county more visible and accessible to local communities. For example, names and personal contact numbers are now published for all the force’s Safer Neighbourhood Team PCs and PCSOs, as was highlighted recently in the Shropshire Star.

Mobile technology is enabling officers to spend an extra hour of every shift out in the community, rather than stuck in the police station.

These are just a couple of examples of the work that is going on, all of which combined is making a significant impact in our communities.

That connection between our police and the communities they serve is invaluable. It ensures the sort of mutual trust, respect and understanding which has been a cornerstone of British policing throughout its history.

I will continue to work to protect and further reinforce that relationship as Commissioner for West Mercia.

I hope the new officers who join the force in this round of recruitment will share that commitment, alongside the other values, skills and professionalism I see every day in West Mercia Police.