Wiltshire PEEL 2018

Wiltshire Police is good at planning to meet both current and future demand.

The force looks at previous trends and uses this to predict demand. These demand projections help managers plan how to make best use of their workforce. Since our 2017 inspection, the force has used analysis of demand to improve its response to non-emergency calls by changing shift patterns and numbers of call room staff.

The force is working hard to engage with the community. But it needs to update its technology to offer the public better ways of making contact, such as online.

The force has processes in place to manage the competing priorities it faces. It is still evaluating future workforce needs to address likely skills gaps. It has faced an increase in officers leaving the service but is investing in recruitment. It expects to return the force to its planned numbers in 2018/19.

Wiltshire Police is working to increase its diversity. The Department for Work and Pensions has recognised the force’s support for people with disabilities. More black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) people are gaining employment and now make up 2.6 percent of the workforce.

The force’s financial, service and delivery plans focus on frontline staffing. A medium-term financial plan sets out the framework until 2022.

Questions for Efficiency

How well does the force use its resources to meet the demand it faces?

Good

This question was not subject to detailed inspection in 2018/19, and our judgment from the 2017 efficiency inspection has been carried over.

How well does the force plan for the future?

Good

Areas for improvement

The force should improve its engagement with the public, using digital methods for public contact.
The force should develop its workforce by actively seeking opportunities to recruit external candidates.

Wiltshire Police is good at planning for the future. It understands and manages demand well.

The force’s strategic assessment of threat, harm and risk includes areas of emerging demand, such as modern slavery and human trafficking. It makes detailed plans for these areas.

The force aims to manage future demand by intervening early and working with partner organisations in areas such as mental health. It is improving its ability to deal with an increase in cyber-crime.

Wiltshire Police is good at working with local people. But the force needs better digital ways for the public to contact it.

The force has invested in services that matter to the public. It has processes to help understand future and emerging demand and identify changing public expectations.

The force is starting to analyse its existing skills base and what it will need for the future. It has increased recruitment to fill gaps and has also made some changes to encourage more diversity among applicants. The force should recruit more people from outside the police service.

Wiltshire Police has made arrangements to align its financial plans with its service and delivery plans. These focus on frontline staffing.

The force has clear ambitions to improve the focus on its local policing model and its ability to meet demand.

Detailed findings for question 2

Wiltshire PEEL 2018

Efficiency

How efficiently does the force operate and how sustainable are its services to the public?