Statement from Chief Constable Sean Price
I am delighted to announce the introduction of the ‘Policing Pledge’, a national charter for excellence in policing that has been developed by the Home Office, the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) and the Association of Police Authorities (APA). The pledge is intended to reflect local priorities for policing and map out a very clear commitment to delivering a first class policing service to local communities. I am happy to endorse the adoption of the ‘Policing Pledge’ by Cleveland Police and Cleveland Police Authority, and I look forward to us working together to achieve its objectives. Whilst this is a new national initiative, I firmly believe that it does not mark a fundamental change in the way we deliver our policing in Cleveland as it is based upon many of the principles which we already follow as part of our ‘Putting People First’ strategy.
The essence of the ‘Policing Pledge’ is to map out explicitly our commitment to excellence in policing in a number of key areas, including the need to;
- Always provide the highest level of service and professionalism in dealing with members of the community;
- Understand concerns over policing & community safety and engage with communities to set priorities for action at the local level;
- Deal effectively with call & incident handling, especially where it involves those people who are vulnerable or otherwise in need of swift assistance from the police;
- Keep people informed and updated about the issues that they have raised as concerns as well as keeping victims of crime updated on the progress of their investigation; and
- Aim to provide an excellent service ‘each time, every time’ , but when this does not happen, to have clear mechanisms in place to redress and recover the situation at the earliest opportunity, thereby securing the trust and confidence of those we serve.
Cleveland Police has made a great deal of progress in recent years and we have therefore already been able to address many of the key requirements contained within the ‘Policing Pledge’. A lot of work is ongoing within the Force at the present time to both identify and narrow any gaps between the aspirations contained within the ‘Policing Pledge’ and the current level of service we provide to our communities.
I believe that the key elements of the ‘Policing Pledge’ reflect many of the core values and beliefs of the men and women who work for Cleveland Police and Cleveland Police Authority. The pledge, together with ‘Putting People First’, embodies the very reason we are engaged as professionals in public service.
I fully endorse the ‘Policing Pledge’, and seek your commitment, determination and drive in implementing it at the local level so that it can make the real and very important difference to peoples’ lives that was anticipated during its inception and design. I believe that I can rely upon your fullest support in making its ambition a reality for the communities of Cleveland.
Sean Price, Chief Constable