A survey of 17 forces conducted by technology companies Lanner and Cedar HR finds that, despite the opportunity to respond to the savings required by the Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR) with changes in back office processes, the majority believe that civilian support staff will bear the brunt of losses. One in four (26%) of respondents envisage that cuts will be delivered through a reduction in police officer numbers - either through compulsory retirement, redundancy or natural wastage. A quarter (24%) say a reduction in PCSO numbers is inevitable and just 5% is confident that the cuts can be delivered in other areas.
However, the forces say better utilisation of technology to facilitate improved processes and more efficient sharing of resources and intelligence - particularly in HR and back office functions offer the best opportunity for savings.
The research also finds that more than three-quarters of police forces (78%) have made some savings but feel there is still a long way to go before they reach the type of savings required. Some 17% say they are still reviewing areas in which cuts can be made. Only 5% say they have achieved the CSR targets.
"The full impact of the CSR spending cuts is still being evaluated and many forces are currently focused on reviewing their structures and processes against the timeframes outlined for meeting the targets," said Kevin Sheehy, head of police practice at Lanner. "While it seems that some reduction in staff numbers is inevitable, it is encouraging that those at the coalface of police operations believe categorically that HR process improvements hold the greatest potential for the cuts to be realised."
Charles Gunn, head of account management at Cedar HR, added that UK policing was facing unprecedented challenges and traditional solutions would not deliver the savings that were required. Cedar HR has worked with the police service for more than 10 years, delivering resourcing solutions to 30 forces
