Archived decisions

FORWARD TOGETHER FORCE REVIEW

The Authority has supported the conclusions of the Forward Together - Force Review commissioned by the Chief Constable in August 2004 which will see a reduction from the current ten Basic Command Units to six Operational Command Units.

This supports the significant country-wide move towards larger coterminous commands. In addition, the Home Office and Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary strongly support the development of larger commands with the alignment of boundaries to CDRPs and this is likely to stand Hampshire in good stead when developing its preferred option, to be presented to the Home Secretary in December, that Hampshire, as a strategic Force, should not be forced to amalgamate with any of its neighbours but be allowed to continue to develop its existing strategic capability.

The aim of the Review was to develop a Force structure which will ensure that Hampshire Constabulary is fit for purpose for the next five to ten years and supports the delivery of a more professional, resilient, and responsive police service in the two counties.

A programme of internal and external consultation was initiated to seek views on the ideas for change and in excess of 100 facilitated work groups and consultation road shows were held with officers and staff across the organisation. The broad external communications strategy gained extensive coverage and interest and presentations

were given to all local Chief Executives and, on request, to local authority groups and public meetings. The Authority itself received regular briefings from the Chief Constable and his senior staff as matters progressed.

Following the extensive consultation process and broad option mapping in January 2005 the Review Team proposed six OCUs as this was considered to be the "best fit" policing structure for the two counties in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, representing an appropriate balance of strategic management needs with localised service delivery. In particular, it aligns policing boundaries with CDRP areas providing a base structure that greatly assists partnership work. The Home Office is placing an increased emphasis on measuring performance in these areas so it is essential that any future command structure effectively supports these links.

It is the Chief Constable's intention to have the new OCU structure in place by 1 April 2006 linking into a new performance and financial accounting year. They will be:- Central Hampshire, Southampton, North East Hampshire, Western, Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight.