Sussex Police is exploring new ways of working so that it can meet the changing issues of modern policing.
Deputy Chief Constable Olivia Pinkney said: "Our aim is to deliver policing more efficiently through embracing technology and multi agency working, reducing cost and engaging with the public in the best way.
"Sussex Police was publicly acknowledged only this month by the HMIC for running a tight ship and collaborating with partners, including Surrey Police, to gain maximum benefits in terms of financial savings and delivering good quality policing.
"The public can be reassured that with efficiencies already made overall crime has reduced in the last three years making Sussex Police one of the safety forces nationally.
"And while I understand that changes can be unsettling, the officers and staff I speak with around the force are highly motivated, professional people with a passion for what they do and are very actively contributing to shaping our police service for the future.
"I am confident that by exploring new ways of working we can meet competing demands effectively."
Sussex Police is working on a model for the future and has revealed its initial thinking for policing Sussex for the coming five years.
DCC Pinkney said:"The design principles contain possibilities which are aligned to the future vision for the organisation, but they are not what we will definitely do and do not go in detail as to how they could be done. It assists in making choices and is an internal document written to guide the work of the design team. Ideas explored and, ultimately, the design proposals, will meet the objectives to meet the changing issues of modern policing and the financial challenge of making savings in the region of £55 million by 2020.
"The model is about working efficiently to a reduced budget; being a modern, trusted workforce with integrity at our core. The absence of crime and disorder, together with strong community relations, will be our measure of success.
"We are committed to core policing - protecting communities, prioritising those who are most vulnerable to harm and reducing crime by catching criminals. Sussex Police will continue to deliver the objectives of the Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner's Police and Crime Plan. We will also deliver all statutory and College of Policing mandated activities.
"We will make decisions on which services to prioritise, and to whom they will be delivered, based on the level of threat, risk and harm. We will continue to prioritise crimes that cause the greatest harm to victims and the community.
"A series of workshops are being held across the Force to identify where resources would best be targeted in the future to meet our objectives. The team is due to report on its findings in the New Year.
"It is inevitable that we will be reducing the number of people we employ but we would seek to retain our operational capability within our front line public facing roles to keep the public safe.
"Our community continues to be protected with new, efficient ways of working and being positioned with partners where it assists all.
"Often the police are used as the service of last resort - the simple fact is that we should not respond to issues which would be more effectively dealt with by other providers or by working in partnership. An example of where this works is our successful street triage scheme which pairs nurses with police in dealing with emergency responses to those with mental health issues and diverting them from police custody. It is this kind of thinking we need to apply in different areas of our business.
"Our plans also include transforming the way we interact with our communities. We recognise that the way people want to make contact with organisations has changed considerably and in Sussex many people now choose to visit our website for information, rather than visit us in person, to report crime online and be updated via text, email or social media.
"Sussex Police as an emergency service will look and feel very different in the future as we embrace the necessary changes to support our communities."
--- Note to readers: This message has been disseminated by Sussex Police - please visit their official website for further information. Reported by Sussex Police 8 hours ago.
Deputy Chief Constable Olivia Pinkney said: "Our aim is to deliver policing more efficiently through embracing technology and multi agency working, reducing cost and engaging with the public in the best way.
"Sussex Police was publicly acknowledged only this month by the HMIC for running a tight ship and collaborating with partners, including Surrey Police, to gain maximum benefits in terms of financial savings and delivering good quality policing.
"The public can be reassured that with efficiencies already made overall crime has reduced in the last three years making Sussex Police one of the safety forces nationally.
"And while I understand that changes can be unsettling, the officers and staff I speak with around the force are highly motivated, professional people with a passion for what they do and are very actively contributing to shaping our police service for the future.
"I am confident that by exploring new ways of working we can meet competing demands effectively."
Sussex Police is working on a model for the future and has revealed its initial thinking for policing Sussex for the coming five years.
DCC Pinkney said:"The design principles contain possibilities which are aligned to the future vision for the organisation, but they are not what we will definitely do and do not go in detail as to how they could be done. It assists in making choices and is an internal document written to guide the work of the design team. Ideas explored and, ultimately, the design proposals, will meet the objectives to meet the changing issues of modern policing and the financial challenge of making savings in the region of £55 million by 2020.
"The model is about working efficiently to a reduced budget; being a modern, trusted workforce with integrity at our core. The absence of crime and disorder, together with strong community relations, will be our measure of success.
"We are committed to core policing - protecting communities, prioritising those who are most vulnerable to harm and reducing crime by catching criminals. Sussex Police will continue to deliver the objectives of the Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner's Police and Crime Plan. We will also deliver all statutory and College of Policing mandated activities.
"We will make decisions on which services to prioritise, and to whom they will be delivered, based on the level of threat, risk and harm. We will continue to prioritise crimes that cause the greatest harm to victims and the community.
"A series of workshops are being held across the Force to identify where resources would best be targeted in the future to meet our objectives. The team is due to report on its findings in the New Year.
"It is inevitable that we will be reducing the number of people we employ but we would seek to retain our operational capability within our front line public facing roles to keep the public safe.
"Our community continues to be protected with new, efficient ways of working and being positioned with partners where it assists all.
"Often the police are used as the service of last resort - the simple fact is that we should not respond to issues which would be more effectively dealt with by other providers or by working in partnership. An example of where this works is our successful street triage scheme which pairs nurses with police in dealing with emergency responses to those with mental health issues and diverting them from police custody. It is this kind of thinking we need to apply in different areas of our business.
"Our plans also include transforming the way we interact with our communities. We recognise that the way people want to make contact with organisations has changed considerably and in Sussex many people now choose to visit our website for information, rather than visit us in person, to report crime online and be updated via text, email or social media.
"Sussex Police as an emergency service will look and feel very different in the future as we embrace the necessary changes to support our communities."
--- Note to readers: This message has been disseminated by Sussex Police - please visit their official website for further information. Reported by Sussex Police 8 hours ago.