CBI Report calls on PCCs to outsource admin to fund front line policing

A new CBI report calls on recently elected Police and Crime Commissioners to work with independent providers to help them meet budgetary demands, improve service efficiency, and free up more warranted officers to be on the frontline.

According to the report, A force for the future: transforming policing through partnership, police forces in England and Wales will have to adapt to a 20% reduction in funding over the next five years. It highlights that many back office services and frontline support functions should be opened up to competition by independent providers, thus freeing resources for more spending on 'the front line'

CBI research claims that this could save £1.5 billion, while allowing police forces to benefit from greater service innovation and cutting-edge technology to deal with new types of crime.

The report calls on Police & Crime Commissioners to leverage economies of scale in their procurement by purchasing products, or by sharing services, at a regional or national level. And it highlights that there are still 6,600 police officers performing back office functions, like HR, finance, procurement, and ICT, which could be carried out by the independent sector.

Other areas where independent providers could support police forces include fleet management, forensics, interpreting services and training.

For more on the CBI report and to download it in full click here

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