“Whether it’s crime scene investigators, PCSOs, call-handlers, dispatch controllers, crime analysts, IT specialists, or finance and HR professionals
“We’ve written to both the new Home Secretary and Policing Minister, making clear we expect to see an end to the officer-uplift targets that have drained police staff posts.
“That’s meant 6,000 officers doing jobs that should be done by staff – at a far greater cost to the taxpayer.
“We want chief constables to have the flexibility to recruit the workforce they need, based on skills – not arbitrary numbers.
“There must be a proper workforce strategy that recognises the essential role of police staff.
“Forces in England and Wales face budget shortfalls approaching £1bn by 2027. Already we’ve seen cuts to police community support officers, call-handlers, dispatchers and analysts.
“These cuts make communities less safe. And they harm the government’s own policing priorities because when staff posts go, officers have to backfill.
“It’s bad for staff, bad for officers and bad for the public.
Christina was speaking at UNISON’s annual national conference for police staff, probation workers and family court advisors, which began today and continues until tomorrow.
She also said: “Colleagues in probation know only too well what it means to work in a broken system.
“When it was run locally it was an effective, award-winning system.
“But as part of the civil service, it’s been mismanaged, underfunded and stripped of accountability.
“Staff aren’t paid properly or even on time, grievances go unresolved, morale’s been destroyed and services damaged.
“The government has promised to review the governance of probation. This must happen now.
She told delegates: “You’re the beating heart of policing, probation and family justice.
“You make our communities safer. You protect children. You give people a chance to rebuild their lives.
“And you do it in the face of cuts, underfunding, and all too often, lack of recognition.
“I will continue to listen to you and I will make sure your voices are heard by governments and employers.
“And I’ll continue to fight for your pay, your jobs, your dignity and your future.”
Notes to editors:
– UNISON is the UK’s largest union, with more than 1.3 million members providing public services in education, local government, the NHS, police service and energy. They are employed in the public, voluntary and private sectors.
Media contacts:
Anthony Barnes M: 07834 864794 E: a.barnes@unison.co.uk
Fatima Ayad M: 07908 377215 E: f.ayad@unison.co.uk
The article Don’t cut police staff to boost officer numbers, says UNISON first appeared on the UNISON National site.
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