26 May 2006
The reorganisation of police forces in England and Wales must be properly organised and funded, the new head of the Association of Chief Police Officers said this week.
Addressing Acpo's annual conference, held in conjunction with the Association of Police Authorities, president Ken Jones acknowledged that mergers were necessary.
But he added that whatever structures were put in place must reinforce the local nature of policing. 'Larger structures need not necessarily mean that this principle is weakened,' Jones told delegates on May 23. 'Larger forces mean that we need to work harder to ensure that we nurture the root of policing. This is where the heart of the service beats.'
Proposals to streamline the 43 forces in England and Wales have met with resistance. Police leaders are viewing John Reid's appointment as home secretary as an opportunity to look again at the merger process.
APA chair Bob Jones said: 'We urge the home secretary to work in collaboration with the APA and Acpo to ensure that together we find the right solutions.'
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