Police Reform - What's The Real Cost?

Rank and file police officers have launched a pre-emptive strike against radical plans to reform their service by claiming that up to 25,000 full-time officers would be lost in the change.

The Police Federation chair, Jan Berry, said that police chiefs intended to slash almost one in five officer posts within five years through natural wastage.

According to Jan Berry, forces will take on cheaper police community support officers, under plans being drawn up by the Association of Chief Police Officers.

ACPO sources said most police leaders wanted to "modernise" their workforces, and believed that by using more police community support officers and civilian staff for administration and less demanding tasks, the fully trained police officers could spend more time fighting crime. The figure of 25,000 fewer police officers than the current level of 141,000 in England and Wales is seen as the highest figure, with the lowest estimate being 8,000 if ministers and Tony Blair back ACPO's plans.

Police chiefs say the yearly cost of a fully trained officer is £35,000, but that of a community support officer is £25,000.

For the full article please click
Reforms 'Will Cost 25,000 Full-Time Posts'

Early reports in the press include
Police Merger Costs 'Threaten Jobs'
Force To Axe 150 Beat Police Officers

Check the police forum topic on the same
Police Reform - The Real Cost
See also BBC Report Row Over PCSO Role

Is it just me or do you get the feeling that the Government is clouding the issue regarding the public's request for more police officers on the beat, by including in their figures the number of projected police community support officers?

Which do you think the public would prefer, more police officers or more police community support officers?