Progress still needed at police force - inspectors

Chief Constable Chris Noble welcomed the news earlier this that his force was out of special measure which started in 2022

Staffordshire Police still requires improvements in several areas, inspectors say, despite having made progress since a previous inspection.

The force had been in special measures until May this year after failings were reported by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS).

Inspectors have since said the force is good in one area, adequate in four more, but requires improvement in three aspects of its work, including ensuring the public receives an effective service for addressing domestic abuse.

Staffordshire Police said the report showed the force emerging as one of the most improved in the country.

The force was rated as good at prevention and deterrence, adopting a problem-solving approach.

If members of the public had made more than three calls within seven days, or more than five calls within 30 days, staff would work with the neighbourhood policing team for that area to produce a plan to deal with the issue, HMICFRS said.

The use of data was now used more effectively which had helped the service better monitor the standard of investigations, how it responded to the public, and how it managed the risk posed by offenders, HMICFRS reported.

Inspectors found the force to be adequate in areas of managing offenders; police power and public treatment; developing a positive workplace; and leadership and force management.

'More to do'

Challenges included the need to reduce the number of non-emergency 101 calls that were abandoned by callers and ensuring victims of domestic abuse received an effective service.

At the time of inspection, a large number of victims (38%) were turning down the opportunity to complete a Domestic Abuse, Stalking and Harassment (DASH) risk assessment.

Additionally, officers were not always wearing body-worn video cameras when attending incidents, contrary to the force's policy.

His Majesty's Inspector of Constabulary Michelle Skeer said she was pleased with some aspects of the force's performance, but there were areas in which it needed to improve and progress would continue to be monitored.

"We found that better access to data helped staff understand the force’s performance and the service provided to victims," she said.

"This helps the force more effectively monitor key areas such as how it manages the risk posed by offenders.

“But the service still has more to do in how it investigates crime and responds to the public."

'A positive report'

In his response to the report, Chief Constable Chris Noble said: "Overall this is a positive report for Staffordshire Police which is reflective of the hard work and commitment of officers and staff to improve the service we provide to Staffordshire communities."

The chief constable said the force was well under way in addressing how to respond more consistently and effectively to reports of domestic abuse.

He added: "I am confident we'll be able to robustly address our weaker performing areas in the same way we did following the 2022 inspection, while ensuring the positive changes we've already made are maintained.

"This is a positive report for Staffordshire Police, but it also outlines areas of focus where we have already well developed plans and intended investments.

"We have not waited for the report to land to start our work, and my commitment, and that of my staff, is that we will not rest on our laurels but push on to deliver a service to the Staffordshire public that we can all be proud of."

Staffordshire Commissioner for Police, Fire & Rescue and Crime, Ben Adams said: "Very few forces have seen improvements across the board in their recent HMICFRS inspections, and it’s a credit to Staffordshire Police that they have improved in nearly all grade areas."