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Experts to advise failing force Experts to advise 'problem' force
(about 16 hours later)
A team of experts is to help the under-performing Nottinghamshire police after police watchdog officials published a critical report. A team of experts is being brought in to review Nottinghamshire's police force after inspectors criticised "consistent under-performance".
The hand-picked group is going in after HM Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) decided it had "not seen a convincing plan" for the force's improvement. It will be the first force in the country to undergo a Civil Service-type review by experts from the private sector as well as policing.
Among the areas said to have been targeted are answering 999 calls and responding to messages. The Police Inspectorate said it had put together the team to find the root cause of the force's problems.
Chief Constable Julia Hodson said they were "not too proud" to seek advice. Ch Const Julia Hodson said people will see improvements within six months.
An HMIC spokesman said: "We're concerned about the enduring issue of Nottinghamshire Police's under-performance. 'Enduring issue'
The review team will include former chairman of discount hardware store Wilkinson's, Tony Wilkinson, and the chief constables of the Northumbria and Warwickshire forces.
An HM Inspectorate of Constabulary spokesman said the review, which will look at the force's leadership, strategy and delivery of services, will take place early next month.
He added: "We're concerned about the enduring issue of Nottinghamshire Police's under-performance.
"We have not seen a convincing plan for improvement."We have not seen a convincing plan for improvement.
"HMIC have secured a strong team to objectively review the root cause of their problems - whether they lie with the force, the police authority or the way they work in partnership. "HMIC have secured a strong team to objectively review the root cause of their problems - whether they lie with the force, the police authority or the way they work in partnership."
"We expect that to be concluded by the end of February."
We have given HMIC a greater role in performance management to act as a strong advocate of the public interest Home OfficeWe have given HMIC a greater role in performance management to act as a strong advocate of the public interest Home Office
Under-performance at Nottinghamshire, which has been headed by chief constable Julia Hodson since 2008, has been a long-running issue. Ms Hodson said she invited the team to conduct the "novel and exciting" review, which will use a system adapted from that used to assess Civil Service departments, following talks with HMIC.
She added: "I don't see it as failure at all.
"We are a force that is improving. It's good management practice to recognise there are areas to improve."
Ms Hodson said merging with other East Midlands forces was "a possibility on the table", but added: "I don't think it's likely at the moment because we can work effectively together through collaboration."
County MP John Mann, who represents Bassetlaw, called on the Government in December to intervene and sort out the "organisational malaise" at the force.County MP John Mann, who represents Bassetlaw, called on the Government in December to intervene and sort out the "organisational malaise" at the force.
He criticised staffing levels, saying on one Friday night just 16 officers covered the whole of the Bassetlaw and Newark division.
A spokesman for the Home Office said: "We have given HMIC a greater role in performance management to act as a strong advocate of the public interest.A spokesman for the Home Office said: "We have given HMIC a greater role in performance management to act as a strong advocate of the public interest.
"We are supporting HMIC as they work with Nottinghamshire Police to ensure the force's performance improves.""We are supporting HMIC as they work with Nottinghamshire Police to ensure the force's performance improves."
Capability 'Lack of capability'
John Clarke, chairman of Nottinghamshire Police Authority, said: "Crime in Nottinghamshire is currently falling for the seventh consecutive year, but there is a gap between the force's performance and that of other similar forces.
"We believe this consultation will provide a unique opportunity to benefit from the wealth of experience offered by those on the review team."
Last month the interim chief executive of the force's police authority left his job after just two months in the role.Last month the interim chief executive of the force's police authority left his job after just two months in the role.
David Wilcock criticised a "lack of capability" among key staff as well as a poor staffing structure.David Wilcock criticised a "lack of capability" among key staff as well as a poor staffing structure.
Earlier this week Ms Hodson met with MPs from the county to discuss the force's performance. Earlier this week Ms Hodson met MPs from the county to discuss the force's performance after announcing she was seeking advice from colleagues in Northumbria on best practice.
And the force also announced it was redeploying more than 80 officers to strengthen frontline policing in the north of the county.And the force also announced it was redeploying more than 80 officers to strengthen frontline policing in the north of the county.
Earlier this week Ms Hodson admitted improvement needed to be made.
She said: "We are not too proud to go to anyone doing better than we are and ask them for their advice and share best practice."