Cuts to firearms, roads policing and public order announced

ROADS policing and firearms officers in Essex Police face going through a selection process to remain in the roles – as the force cuts the number of specialist posts it has.

As part of a move to put officers back on local policing units, the force’s chief constable Steve Kavanagh (pictured) has announced that the force will be losing around 75 specialist police officer roles this year. 

He also announced that the 325 officers currently trained in public order tactics – who currently work on other roles – will become 50 officers in a “specialist public order team”.

It is hoped the changes will result in £3 million savings a year.

Mr Kavanagh told officers at the annual Essex Police Federation open meeting last week that these were not decisions “made lightly.” He described them in a statement as “carefully considered reductions to our firearms, roads policing and public order capabilities.”

The force has already lost more than 1,000 staff, including 400 police officers, as part of its bid to save £42million. Further Government cuts mean those in charge need to reduce the budget by another £16million at the same time as coping with a predicted £20million rise in costs.

Last year it was announced the dog unit would be cut from 52 to 40 dogs and that the force was scrapping its marine unit.

Now, in a further shake up, that the number of PCs working on roads policing will drop from 140 to 80. They will be joined by 20 sergeants and 3 inspectors to make a unit of 103 to provide 24/7 coverage on the county’s road network.

They will be supported by a casualty reduction team and a specialist road investigation team.

The number of firearm officers will also drop from 109 to 85 – one inspector, nine sergeants and 75 PCs.

These changes will kick in this September, he told officers at the open meeting last week and there will be a “selection process” to decide who stays and who goes.

Mr Kavanagh said the force was not “doomed” but that it will be “stretched.” He added: “We are not fearful of the future.”

In a statement he added: “The force retains the right level of resourcing in these specialist areas. I am committed to policing our road network and the essential task of working with partner agencies and drivers to improve safety.

“We also maintain the capability to rapidly respond to incidents involving firearms as well as continuing to meet our public order commitments both in Essex and across the region.”

Also at the meeting, Essex Police Federation chairman Mark Smith encouraged police officers to “join in” with national debates on the future of the Fed. He told officers “they must respond and take part in surveys and votes – they must give feedback and help with requests for assistance.”

He added: “The Federation can only represent you if they know what you want. There must be buy in by everyone. There must be understanding on all sides – of the Federation and the good work that is done every day and what they are trying to do and of the members, their wishes, concerns and worries.”