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'Cut number of police forces' urges superintendents' leader 'Cut number of police forces' urges superintendents' leader
(about 5 hours later)
The number of constabularies in England and Wales should be cut to save money, a senior police leader has said.The number of constabularies in England and Wales should be cut to save money, a senior police leader has said.
Police Superintendents' Association president Irene Curtis said there were "too many chief constables and too many police and crime commissioners".Police Superintendents' Association president Irene Curtis said there were "too many chief constables and too many police and crime commissioners".
The 43-force structure wasted millions of pounds and had not been reformed for 40 years, she said.The 43-force structure wasted millions of pounds and had not been reformed for 40 years, she said.
Ch Supt Curtis was speaking ahead of the association's annual conference in Warwickshire.Ch Supt Curtis was speaking ahead of the association's annual conference in Warwickshire.
The former firearms commanding officer said: "It is increasingly obvious that we do not need 43 forces across England and Wales.The former firearms commanding officer said: "It is increasingly obvious that we do not need 43 forces across England and Wales.
"Some forces are trying to address this by forming strategic alliances which means that they are virtually merging in all but name and senior leadership ranks."Some forces are trying to address this by forming strategic alliances which means that they are virtually merging in all but name and senior leadership ranks.
"Current legislation prevents them from reducing the number of chief constables and deputy chief constables, but this is money that could be better spent on operational policing.""Current legislation prevents them from reducing the number of chief constables and deputy chief constables, but this is money that could be better spent on operational policing."
Last year Scotland's eight police forces were merged into one - a move the association says will save £1.1bn.Last year Scotland's eight police forces were merged into one - a move the association says will save £1.1bn.
Ch Supt Curtis said people in Scotland had seen no "noticeable difference" in how they are policed locally.Ch Supt Curtis said people in Scotland had seen no "noticeable difference" in how they are policed locally.
"Local people are still policed by local officers," she said."Local people are still policed by local officers," she said.
In England and Wales, the previous Labour government attempted to cut the number of forces by merging some of them, but the high initial costs and concerns about accountability led to the plan being scrapped.In England and Wales, the previous Labour government attempted to cut the number of forces by merging some of them, but the high initial costs and concerns about accountability led to the plan being scrapped.
'Reduced resources''Reduced resources'
Those proposals could have seen the number of constabularies cut by more than half, the association said.Those proposals could have seen the number of constabularies cut by more than half, the association said.
Labour has since hinted it could revisit the plans.Labour has since hinted it could revisit the plans.
A review of policing the party commissioned from former Met commissioner Lord Stevens said last year that the current model was "untenable".A review of policing the party commissioned from former Met commissioner Lord Stevens said last year that the current model was "untenable".
But BBC home affairs correspondent Danny Shaw says ministers remain opposed to compulsory mergers, arguing the quality of neighbourhood policing would be hit and forces would become more distant from the communities they serve.But BBC home affairs correspondent Danny Shaw says ministers remain opposed to compulsory mergers, arguing the quality of neighbourhood policing would be hit and forces would become more distant from the communities they serve.
Ch Supt Curtis, who will address the conference on Tuesday, said: "Some argue that the cost of restructuring forces would be too high, but in a future of reduced resources I think the opposite is true.Ch Supt Curtis, who will address the conference on Tuesday, said: "Some argue that the cost of restructuring forces would be too high, but in a future of reduced resources I think the opposite is true.
"We can't afford not to do this.""We can't afford not to do this."
The Police Superintendants' Association represents senior officers in England Wales.The Police Superintendants' Association represents senior officers in England Wales.
Its conference runs from Monday 8 September to Wednesday 10 September and will be addressed by Home Secretary Theresa May on Tuesday.Its conference runs from Monday 8 September to Wednesday 10 September and will be addressed by Home Secretary Theresa May on Tuesday.
What is your reaction to the chief superintendent's comments? Email your views to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.