My commitment is to make certain that every resident feels secure within their local community. To achieve this goal, I believe in collaborating and taking early measures to address the common factors that result in individuals coming into contact with the police and the criminal justice system. This approach will aid in decreasing crime rates, anti-social behaviour and will have a positive impact on victim outcomes.
Key progress during 2032/24:
- Platinum award for our custody visiting scheme: In November, I was thrilled to announce that our Independent Custody Visiting (ICV) Scheme in Surrey had been nationally recognised, achieving Platinum status for its exceptional work. This recognition is a testament to the dedicated volunteers from our community who make unannounced visits to Surrey Police custody suites to ensure that the rights, wellbeing, and dignity of detainees are upheld. Over the past year, our volunteers have conducted 172 visits and dedicated more than 400 hours to monitoring conditions in custody, providing an invaluable independent oversight. They listen to detainees and make recommendations that range from the provision of adequate winter blankets to addressing the needs of those experiencing mental health crises. Their work is crucial in maintaining the integrity and transparency of our custody processes, with their findings continually feeding into a cycle of improvement for Surrey Police and my office. This highest level of accreditation celebrates not just the excellence of the visiting and volunteer management, but the significant role volunteers play in safeguarding vulnerable individuals and fostering public trust in policing. I am immensely proud of every volunteer and our ICV Scheme Manager, Erika Dallinger, for their hard work and dedication. This accolade not only highlights the vital ‘behind the scenes’ work undertaken by my office but also the strong community spirit that supports it.
- Tackling police misconduct: The vast majority of the officers and staff of Surrey Police are professional, selfless, courageous and a credit to the Force. However, it is crucial that members of the public have trust in their police which is why my office undertakes a number of roles in order to help maintain police integrity and provide assurance to the public that incidents of misconduct are dealt with appropriately. One of my key duties is to facilitate Gross Misconduct Hearings and Police Appeal Tribunals, and my staff work across the region to recruit, training and oversee the appointment of Legally Qualified Advisors and Independent Panel Members. With upcoming changes in legislation and a laser-like focus on ensuring police forces can weed out bad officers, ensuring we have sufficient resources to manage the uplift in misconduct processes has been a big focus for us during 2023, and we have recruited over 18 new individuals to sit on hearings across the region. My office also works closely with Surrey Police’s Professional Standards Department, undertaking both statutory reviews of complaints and dip sampling cases to track themes and to identify potential issues. We have also been working closely with the Force to look at how we can make our misconduct data more transparent, and this is something we will continue to progress in the year ahead.
- ‘Policing your Community’ roadshow: The ‘Policing Your Community’ events took place from 24 October 2023 – 29 January 2024 and offered residents the opportunity to put their questions about local policing to myself, Chief Constable Tim De Meyer and the Inspector responsible for the local policing where they live. The events took place ahead of the annual council tax contribution, giving residents a chance to learn more about how their money is used both visibly – and behind the scenes – to boost crime fighting across Surrey. Residents were offered both in-person and online events, with the roadshow visiting every Borough and District. Key issues raised related to police visibility, ASB, speeding and shoplifting. This feedback is being incorporated into both Surrey Police’s operational response and the drafting of my new Police & Crime Plan.
- Open data: As the Police and Crime Commissioner for Surrey, I believe that residents should have easy access to key data concerning both my office and Surrey Police. That’s why my team have developed the Surrey Police Data Hub, a platform designed to provide you with convenient and understandable access to important information. I recognise that traditional public meetings are not always feasible for everyone due to time constraints and my aim was to create a more accessible solution. Public bodies often publish vast amounts of data to meet statutory requirements, but this information is frequently difficult to locate and interpret. The Data Hub addresses this issue by presenting data in a user-friendly format, ensuring it is both current and comprehensible. My goal is to offer up-to-date information and make sure residents can easily find out and understand how Surrey Police is performing. The Data Hub represents a significant step forward in transparency and accessibility, providing an innovative alternative to conventional public engagement methods. The Hub can be accessed via: data.surrey-pcc.gov.uk
- Supporting our armed forces: I am delighted to share that both my office and Surrey Police have recently been awarded the Silver Level status under the Ministry of Defence’s Employer Recognition Scheme Award. This accolade underscores our ongoing commitment to supporting serving and former armed forces personnel, along with their families, recognising the substantial contributions they make to our society. In 2017, the office was one of the first to sign the Armed Forces Covenant, and I am proud to announce that we are now the first in the southeast to achieve silver status. This advancement from our previous bronze status is a testament to our continuous efforts in this area. Many veterans find a second career in the police service, contributing immensely as officers or staff, and we take pride in supporting their transition and integration. My Deputy, Ellie Vesey-Thompson, who oversees our work with military personnel and veterans, emphasises the importance of understanding and appreciating the unique experiences of the armed forces community. Ellie’s dedication extends to ensuring that we provide supportive and inclusive employment opportunities that leverage their skills and experiences.
Explore further data concerning Surrey Police progress against this priority.
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