West Mercia PEEL 2017

The force has a good understanding of demand overall, and its appreciation of the different levels of resources that different types of investigations require is increasing. This is reassuring because the alliance cannot be certain it has a comprehensive understanding of internal demand. The force has a good understanding of hidden demand, including modern day slavery, human trafficking and radicalisation, and it adapts its operational procedures to respond to changes in demand. The alliance has advanced plans to introduce new control rooms and related technologies. These developments are timely because the force is experiencing difficulties with its current call-handling performance, especially 101 calls, meaning that some callers may be exposed to harm, of which the alliance may never become aware. Crime management processes are also protracted, which could adversely affect the quality of service experienced by victims. The transfer of investigations under the force’s new investigation model is inconsistent and some response officers are being allocated complex cases that they do not possess the skills to carry out. However, the alliance’s change programme is subject to strong governance; there are effective and comprehensive arrangements in place that allow leaders and the wider workforce to influence developments and for individuals to be held to account for outcomes.

West Mercia Police uses its resources well, helping it to provide an effective response to a broad range of local and regional issues. It is improving its understanding of the current and future skills and capabilities it needs and has made good progress through defining leadership competencies and focussing on leadership development. The force prioritises its activities based on its understanding of demand, priorities and public expectations. Partnerships are a consistent theme of the force’s approach and its alliance arrangements are serving it well. The force is clear about the areas it will invest in during future years and it has a sound appreciation of the benefits of collaboration. The force’s change programme is ambitious and innovative.

West Mercia Police is planning for the future well. The force uses commonly recognised techniques to identify demands, although its analysis of future demand is still developing. The introduction of new ICT means the force should be able to realise further savings and is based on a thorough understanding of what the public expects, and how technology will improve policing. The force’s assessment of future savings requirements is based on sound assumptions. The force would benefit from completing a comprehensive audit of its future leadership requirements, to complement its introduction of continuous professional development (CPD) and its use of national schemes. The force’s change management programme is notable, blending technical and operational skills to good effect.