Police Officer Cuts Slowed Down

 

A plan to increase police officer recruiting in Cheshire this year has been approved by the Police Authority.

Seventy five new officers will be recruited, instead of the 47 originally planned. Allowing for retirements, the overall number of officers in April 2013 will rise to 1993, an increase of three on the figure at April this year.

Chairman of the Authority′s Finance Committee, Peter Nurse said, "Over the longer term, we still have to reduce officer numbers as part of the measures to meet savings targets set by the Government.

"We envisage that police officer numbers will fall to 1915 by April 2015. That reduction will still be achieved if the number of officers recruited from 2013 to 2015 is restricted to thirty three.

"Recruiting more officers this year means the cut in numbers will be brought in more slowly and we can achieve a higher level of service in the years 2012 to 2015."

Decisions on recruiting in future years will rest with the Police and Crime Commissioner for Cheshire, who will be elected on 15 November. The Commissioner will take over the role of the Police Authority.

Peter Nurse said, "We are working hard to ensure the transition goes smoothly and the Commissioner has everything in place to maintain the high standard of policing which the people of Cheshire are used to. The number of officers is obviously crucial to that."