Avon and Somerset PEEL 2017

Avon and Somerset Constabulary has a comprehensive understanding of the demand for its services and of the specific types of crime that are prevalent but are less likely to be reported. It is involved in some very good joint initiatives with partner organisations to educate the public about modern slavery and female genital mutilation and to encourage reporting of these crimes, particularly for those people who may be less able or less confident to contact the police. The force is good at understanding the factors that influence the demand placed on its services and demonstrates a good commitment to manage and prioritise these well. The force has a culture of continuous improvement that is driven and encouraged by chief officers and leaders, and the workforce are widely consulted and involved in change.

Avon and Somerset Constabulary uses and allocates its resources well to manage current demand. It has a good understanding of hidden demand and works effectively with partner organisations to protect people who may be exploited. The force has a good understanding of the cost and quality of current service levels and it prioritises resources to meet demand. Implementation of the new ‘borderless’ operating model, together with real-time analysis of demand, enables the force to move resources efficiently and effectively in response to calls for service.

The force makes considered investment decisions, and it is working well with others to manage demand for services. It continues to consider other options for further collaboration and is able to demonstrate that its collaborative working with others reduces cost and increases capacity to provide policing services in accordance with public needs and expectations.

The force is working to understand better its current workforce’s skills and capabilities, to ensure that future policing needs are resourced effectively. It would benefit from a more formal understanding of all the skills that the workforce possess, including skills held outside policing, and a better understanding of leadership skills.

Avon and Somerset Constabulary has a comprehensive understanding of its current demand and makes innovative use of predictive analytics to forecast future and emerging service requirements. The force uses a range of consultation methods to ensure the service it provides meets public expectations. It can demonstrate clearly how collaboration and joint working are transforming results, reducing costs and improving the service it provides to the public. It is making significant investment in ICT and has realistic plans in place to meet the technological challenges it may face in the future. The force has a clear commitment to invest in leadership and workforce development through career pathways and development opportunities for both officers and staff. The development of a workforce people strategy, including mapped capabilities of the workforce, should enable the force to be confident that the skills of officers and staff are fully developed and used to meet both current and future demand for services.