Dorset Police's performance has fallen in some areas
Dorset Police is still providing an adequate service to the public, but its performance in some areas has fallen, the police inspectorate has said.
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PEEL 2021/22 – An inspection of Dorset Police
Dorset Police is still providing an adequate service to the public, but its performance in some areas has fallen, the police inspectorate has said.
Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) graded Dorset Police’s performance across eight areas of policing and found the force was ‘good’ in two areas, ‘adequate’ in four areas and ‘requires improvement’ in two areas.
HMICFRS said the areas requiring improvement included how the force responds to the public and how it investigates crime. However, it was rated as ‘good’ in preventing crime and anti-social behaviour as well as at building, supporting and protecting its workforce.
Her Majesty’s Inspector of Constabulary Wendy Williams said:
“I am pleased with some aspects of the performance of Dorset Police in keeping people safe and reducing crime, but there are areas where it needs to improve.
“Dorset Police has had a challenging year, which has led to an increase in the demand for services. Despite the oversight of senior leaders, and welcome initiatives to protect the most vulnerable, the force needs to better meet the needs of victims when responding to and investigating crimes.
“There is a better understanding of the reasons for disparities when searching people and using force, but there needs to be a continued focus on this area. Dorset Police has worked harder to engage with diverse groups, gaining a better understanding of the reasons why disparities endure – for black people in particular.
“The force has improved its efforts on managing offenders and suspects. I am also pleased with the force’s efforts to improve its capacity and capability to investigate online sexual offending, but reassurance is needed that sufficient long-term provision is in place so that investigations are timely, and children remain safe.
“Dorset Police has put in place new structures, processes, and standards over the past year, which should mean the force is better equipped to investigate crime, identify vulnerable people and manage demand. I look forward to seeing improvements over the coming year.”
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PEEL 2021/22 – An inspection of Dorset Police
Notes
- For further information, please contact the HMICFRS Press Office on 07836 217 729 or HMICPressOffice@hmicfrs.gov.uk.
- In 2014, we introduced our police effectiveness, efficiency, and legitimacy (PEEL) inspections, which assess the performance of all 43 police forces in England and Wales. Since then, we have been continuously adapting our approach and this year has seen the most significant changes yet.
- We are moving to a more intelligence-led, continual assessment approach, rather than the annual PEEL inspections we used in previous years. We have also changed our approach to graded judgments. We now assess forces against the characteristics of good performance, and we more clearly link our judgments to causes of concern and areas for improvement.
- We have also expanded our previous four-tier system of judgments to five tiers. As a result, we can state more precisely where we consider improvement is needed and highlight more effectively the best ways of doing things.
- However, these changes mean that it isn’t possible to make direct comparisons between the grades awarded this year with those from previous PEEL inspections. A reduction in grade, particularly from good to adequate, does not necessarily mean that there has been a reduction in performance, unless we say so in the report.
- More information about the new PEEL assessment framework 2021/22 is available on our website.