Police performance report "fair" says Chief Constable
The latest PEEL report for Wiltshire Police recognised further progress but identified critical areas in need of improvement
Wiltshire's Chief Constable says the latest report into how her Force is performing is "incredibly fair".
His Majesty's Inspectorate noted continued progression for the ever-improving organisation, after it was rated "inadequate" and placed into special measures in 2022.
The Force was removed from the Engage process in May 2024.
But the PEEL (Police Efficiency, Effectiveness and Legitimiacy) report found there is still work to do when officers investigate crimes and in safeguarding people at risk of harm.
Chief Constable Catherine Roper said the Force must reflect on how it can ensure those areas are addressed to retain the trust and confidence of the public.
"I have absolute confidence in my teams that we will be able to deliver in those areas around investigations, vulnerability and victims, and we will make sure that we really focus on that."
Chief Roper added that she was pleased to see the progress made over the last three years reflected in the report.
"I'm really pleased that the progress that has been made, particularly in if people dial up and pick up the phone and dial us, that we'll be there, we answer the calls quickly, we get there quicker and the fact that we have greater legitimacy and transparency in our processes are reflected in this report."
Chief praises efforts of officers and staff during relentless period
Since being placed into special measures in 2022, the Force has been subjected to almost continued outside inspection as the Engage process came with extra scrutiny and support until that was lifted, with a small gap between that ending and the process of this inspection beginning.
The Chief said the teams within the organisation have been outstanding in their dedication to improving the service delivered to the people of Wiltshire, but stressed that efforts to push the improvements further are already underway.
She highlighted that the Force has also had to battle the need to make £8 million in savings in the last year, with a further £4.6 million this year.
All of the reports recommendations have been accepted and the Force has reorganised itself to carry out more audits and inspection of investigation, how standards can be boosted and the continued development of staff and officers to provide better support for victims of crime.
The Chief insisted that she is committed to the welfare and career progression of those working at Wiltshire Police, saying they deserve every opportunity to provide the best service possible.
Addressing areas of concern
The Chief admitted that people may be worried by the fact that the Force has been told to improve how it investigates crime and how it protects the vulnerable.
She insisted that work is already underway to ensure those areas are sufficiently improved with better training and oversight from leadership.
At the start of April, the Force unveiled three new working priorities, safer public spaces, reducing violence against women and girls and improving outcomes for victims.
The Chief said: "If you look at the new operational priorities, they mirror some of the feedback that we've had from His Majesty's Inspectorate and that's absolutely deliberate."
She acknowledged that more needed to be done in addressing those concerns but they've adjusted their focus and priorities to ensure the service delivery can be better.
Public thanked for believing in Force
Chief Constable Roper said the journey of improvement has been a collective effort and highlighted the crucial role that we, the public, have played in that.
She told us that the Force is determined to continue getting better so we continue to pick up the phone and call them when we are in need.
"Thank you for trusting us," Chief Roper said, when asked what her message to Wiltshire's communities was. "Thank you for allowing us to go on this continuous improvement journey. We are continuing to improve. We have delivered three years of continuous improvement and we're not satisfied with that."