Cheshire 2016

I am very pleased with all aspects of the performance of Cheshire Constabulary. The force provides a consistently good service.

Cheshire Constabulary conducts high quality investigations. Crimes are investigated by officers with the appropriate skills, and investigations are actively supervised so that standards are maintained. The force works well with other agencies to reduce reoffending and to identify, investigate and bring to justice repeat and dangerous offenders.

The force is effective at identifying people who may be vulnerable, and officers across the organisation understand their role in applying safeguarding measures. The force supports victims of domestic abuse well and makes good use of powers to place restrictions on perpetrators.

I am impressed by the force’s commitment to neighbourhood policing, which gives it strong links to the people of Cheshire. This enables it to address emerging problems quickly, although the force could do more to adopt a problem-solving approach to preventing crime and anti-social behaviour at the neighbourhood level. The force works well with other agencies to reduce reoffending and to identify, investigate and bring to justice repeat and dangerous offenders.

Cheshire Constabulary has improved its ability to tackle serious and organised crime since my assessment last year. The force now has a greater understanding of the threat it is facing, informed by data from partner organisations. Neighbourhood officers understand the role they play in disrupting organised criminality.

Cheshire Constabulary’s use of a priority-based budgeting approach has allowed it to develop a sophisticated understanding not only of the primary demands for its services, such as crime and incidents, but also secondary demands, such as internal demand and that from partner organisations. This approach allows the force to make informed choices about the level of resources and of services provided by different departments. The force commissions work to address gaps in its understanding and to improve its assessment of demand. This includes exchanging information with partner organisations and producing joint profiles.

I am pleased that Cheshire Constabulary is exploring new ways of working with partner organisations to reduce demand, pool resources and improve service outcomes. The force aligns its workforce and financial plans with those of partner organisations. It has a comprehensive technology strategy that is aligned with the workforce and service plans. It has an ambitious plan for making more use of digital technology, although it has yet to make full use of mobile devices.

Cheshire Constabulary treats the people it serves and its own officers and staff with fairness and respect. It has a culture of ethical and lawful behaviour. The force frequently seeks feedback, using a range of techniques, and it has carried out targeted work with people who historically have had less trust and confidence in the police.

Senior leaders actively promote Cheshire Constabulary’s values, and staff are positive about the force’s culture. However, the force needs to improve some areas of vetting and the approach to managing the risk of officers and staff abusing their authority for sexual gain (that is, taking advantage of a position of power to exploit vulnerable victims of crime).

Cheshire Constabulary uses several approaches to develop its leaders, including master classes and external coaching for senior leaders, and invests heavily in mentoring its prospective senior leaders.

The force encourages innovation both within and outside the organisation, considering new ideas as part of its priority-based budgeting process. The chief constable and senior officers are visible throughout the organisation, frequently joining different teams on the front line.

In summary, I commend the force on the service it is providing to the people of Cheshire.