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More #Police Amalgamations Imminent?

For some time now there have been numerous debates surrounding police force amalgamation. It’s a subject which has actually been rumbling on for decades now. Previous visitors here will know that I’m broadly in favour of the principle (see here) but what of the recent supportive and not so favourable comments on the issue…

After the creation of Police Scotland on the 1st of April I asked; is this the way forward for the remainder of the UK (see here). I’m glad to see that finally, we’re now starting to see some chinks in the mostly self-interested parochial armour of the police ‘old boys (and girls) club’ that is the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO).

A chief constable in Wales has said she supports the idea of merging the four Welsh police forces into one…(policeoracle.com)

Gwent Police Chief Constable Carmel Napier recently gave her backing to “the idea in principle” of a single police force for Wales (see here). Great for Wales, but having been on the receiving end of some of Ms Napier’s leadership and opinion before, I have to say I’m also a little sceptical of her motives here. Is there any real conviction in what she said or, could it just be simple rhetoric? Another one of those opportunist but cleverly executed pieces of public relations hype, the type of stuff which senior police officers (and politicians) are extremely adept at producing.

That said and whatever her motive for the public announcement, it doesn’t really matter if there is/isn’t any personal agenda. The support from any ACPO rank for reducing their numbers is a big step for any of them, “turkeys don’t vote for Christmas” after all. So it has to be a step in the right direction for British policing however; there are still many who remain unconvinced about the advantages.

Police and Crime Commissioner and former policing minister says attempts to further unify police forces should be avoided…(policeoracle.com)

Former MP Alun Michael (now South Wales PCC) maintained that the decision to nationalise policing in Scotland was a “major error of judgement” – as a large force tended to become “a complex beast” to run. Perhaps, but isn’t that due to the politics and micro-management tendencies involved in policing that lead to his conclusion? That and a desire to protect his own self-importance as a PCC? A comment to the original policeoracle.com article summed up many opinions about Michael’s views.

When a member of the Home Affairs select committee he was telling forces that they should be working together to make the most of the resources. Now that his job as PCC is threatened it is suddenly better to have a small force. Still can’t be too hard on him, he is a politician try to understand policing and this is too much to ask…(Ridgeback)

I make no bones about it, I’m no real fan of the PCC system in policing however; I also can’t see why a PCC would stick his nose into this issue, other than for personal reasons. Another comment to the article also questions the validity (and honesty) of his opinion.

This is the same Alun Michael who falsely claimed £19,169-56p in expenses and was ordered to pay it all back, hardly a fit person to be a PCC…(Maverick22)

The “complex beast” that Michael refers to is only such because of individuals like him, they creat and fuel the environment in which senior police officers are almost obliged to react to, if only so they can be seen to be doing something, even when actually doing nothing is the realistic requirement.

As Simon Guilfoyle (acclaimed ‘systems’ thinker and Police Inspector) succinctly put it in his recent “Panic” blog; “we see more knee-jerking than a row of Can-Can dancers.”

Until we finally remove the causation factors of knee-jerk reaction, along with the rafts of self-important micro-management in the system, British policing will always be that “complex beast” that Alun Michael refers to. I and many others with numerous years of policing experience know; it really doesn’t have to be that way and the public actually deserve better!

In answer to the original question – more police amalgamations imminent – I would sadly have to say, probably not. There may have been some ‘glacial’ movement in the right direction but it’s still insignificant. We are moving towards something I see as inevitable in the future however; these proposals are unlikely to gain any significant impetus until it becomes ’flavour of the month’ on the Spin & Hype Menu of PCCS, politicians and ACPO officers.

Police Scotland: The way forward for British Policing? (bankbabble.wordpress.com)
Gwent chief backs police merger (bbc.co.uk)
Wales News: Alun Michael opposes all-Wales force: South Wales Police and Crime Commissioner hits out at national force idea (walesonline.co.uk)

Posted in Government, Local Authorities, Our Society, Police, Politics, Public Sector

#intelligentpolicing – Simon Guilfoyle’s ‘Systems’ Thinking

Apr 9

Posted by Dave Hasney

Since long before I retired from the police and like many others, I became increasingly disillusioned by the levels of inept management within British policing. Although I often expressed my views on the matter, they were often ignored. This was mostly due to my lowly position in the hierarchy of policing, along with a (perceived) lack of any formal qualification actually ‘allowing’ me to formulate or have an opinion…

When there was any interest expressed in my opinion, it was usually shown by platitudinous (deaf) ears. I had to do things differently, firstly I sought to add credence to my opinions with academic study. Secondly, I turned to blogging and social media where I set about trying to publicise the issues I was concerned about, the ones that were impacting on operational police officers and the public they serve.

I engaged in regular debate and contributed to various blogs and forums looking at policing in general, police reform in particular and got my head around some management theory. I started to take an even greater interest in the wider public sector issues, government austerity measures, politics and the policies impacting upon police service delivery.

During this mostly educated (but also sometimes anecdotal/opinionated) engagement with others, I have found some very interesting, knowledgable and highly experienced people on my virtual travels. In addition to all the somewhat simplistic (but still valid) opinion of many, I found the views and sound observations of Inspector Simon Guilfoyle to be of great interest.

I contend that all numerical targets are arbitrary and cause dysfunctional behaviours, but argue for relevant and proportionate performance measurement within a systems context…(InspSimon Guilfoyle)

Simon, in a similar vein to Steve over at The Thin Blue Line Blog (but by different methods), seeks to cut out the cancer of current management methods in policing. His ‘systems’ thinking, in addition to being interesting, is also presented in a manner which is very easy to understand.

Simon produces ’evidence’ based and ‘academically’ sound information and opinion, often published in humourous manner via his blog on the subject (see here). He has highlighted many of the issues currently driving the predominant management methods within policing today. He previously pointed out how; the impact of targets on policing delivery are a crime in progress. There is (thankfully) an increasing group of people within policing who are now in total agreement with his views, I would also count myself as part of that group.

In addition to the interesting and acclaimed pieces of work he’s done on the subject recently, Simon has now produced a book about ’systems’ in policing (see below). His book is receiving some great comments and many recommendations; it has to be commended to anyone responsible for management within policing.

This book could be game changing for the police service. Systems thinking theory can be viewed as complex and challenging, but not for Simon Guilfoyle. In this book he provides a comprehensive and cohesive explanation of the theory based on years of research and his practical experience of applying systems thinking in a policing context…(Ch.Supt. Irene Curtis)

Simon’s book is also available as an Amazon Kindle e-book (click image) and more reviews can be found HERE.

Intelligent Policing: How Systems Thinking Methods Eclipse Conventional Management Practice by Simon Guilfoyle - A Triarchy Press Publication
Foreword: John Seddon
Book type: Paperback (and e-book)
ISBN: 978-1-909470-05-7

Today, despite mostly trying their best, many police managers are actually prevented from doing the ‘right’ thing for their officers, for policing delivery and for the public they supposedly serve.

On this morning’s Chris Evans Breakfast show (BBC Radio 2); Baroness Julia Neuberger, whilst discussing the news of Margaret Thatcher’s recent demise alluded to a predominant problem here - ”If you want to lead, you won’t always be liked.” Too often, our political ‘leaders’ (and police managers) are far too preoccupied with public opinion and press relations. They are so tied up with pandering to that opinion, be it actual or perceived, they end up being just too busy to actually do their job.

There is no doubt that management within any public sector organisation is an undertaking that is an onerous task these days however; the most important task is simply to manage the delivery of a good ’service’ to our society, nothing more and nothing less! Perhaps the time has come for police ’managers’ to try some new methods?

You cannot solve a problem from the same consciousness that created it. You must learn to see the world anew…(Albert Einstein)

Try some ‘systems thinking’ in your police leadership and management, not for you but for us!

Police Scotland: The way forward for British Policing? (bankbabble.wordpress.com)
#SocialMedia: Inspector Gadget and Satyagraha (bankbabble.wordpress.com)
British Policing: The Engineer of It’s Own Demise? (bankbabble.wordpress.com)
#Policing – Hard times ahead but still got my fingers crossed (bankbabble.wordpress.com)
#Policing – The fallout from #Bettison (bankbabble.wordpress.com)
British Policing: (Avoidable?) UKcop #FAIL (bankbabble.wordpress.com)

Posted in Management, Police, Politics, Public Sector

Paris Brown: Understanding Yooff Culture?

Apr 7

Posted by Dave Hasney

Our Youth?

What was supposed to be a monumental public relations coups in terms of youth engagement, but probably also designed (in part) as mitigation against the much maligned post of Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), is rapidly turning into a political nightmare.

But is all the vociferous comment little more than a storm in a teacup, one being fuelled by the usual British media frenzy?

At the beginning of this month Paris Brown from Sheerness, was appointed to work for Ann Barnes, Kent’s PCC who incidentally, is one of the few supposedly independent of any political party. Miss Brown’s role is to represent young people across the county of Kent and, “to build a bridge between the world of young people and policing.” – A wholly admirable sentiment I think you would agree?

3-Apr-13: This will be a real hands-on role and I’ll be relying on Paris to guide my office on how we can deliver a better service for all young people in the county and tackle youth offending…(Ann Barnes)

But, in less than a week since Ms Barnes appointed her new Yooff Ambassador, it seems the incumbent of that post is likely to lose her new job; at least if the Mail on Sunday have anything to do with it (see below).

7-Apr-13: Paris Brown, 17, posted violent, racist and anti-gay comments on Twitter – along with foul-mouthed rants boasting about her sex life and drug-taking…(mailonsunday.co.uk)

The PCC has obviously been quick to protect her new teen-age role-model(?) and employee. That in it self makes a refreshing change within policing circles but that as they say, is another story! The content of Ms Barnes’ mostly contrived damage limitation media release (see here) was to be expected however she has some valid points.

The idea of a Youth Commissioner was born out of my long experience in the world of Policing, as a teacher and as a parent. There is a growing gap between younger people and the Police and others agencies of law enforcement. Young people are too often demonised by certain elements in the press and are often criticised mercilessly…(Ann Barnes)

The part of that release that interested me was the (probably also mostly contrived) response quote from Miss Brown herself. Given her (alleged) previous views and comments posted within social media, are the following words the ones which would actually be used by a member of our predominant yooff culture?

I deeply apologise for any offence caused by my use of inappropriate language and for any inference of inappropriate views. I am not homophobic, racist or violent and am against the taking of drugs. If I’m guilty of anything it’s showing off and wildly exaggerating on Twitter and I am very ashamed of myself, but I can’t imagine that I’m the only teenager to have done this…(Paris Brown)

After their sustained attack on Miss Brown’s suitability for the role, at least The Mail were happy to report that she is probably (but still sadly, mostly in a disparaging manner) actually indicative of most teenagers today. The PCC also pointed out that Miss Brown is wholly representative of today’s teen generation, which is why she was chosen for the role.

Whether or not she [Brown] is actually ”ashamed of these comments” remains to be seen but as the PCC rightly points out and I agree; “ I would bet you that any parent who accessed a Twitter or Facebook account would be surprised and perhaps shocked at some of the stuff that’s on it because that’s what kids do.”

The PCC is also right when she says; “they like to impress their mates” – a factor which is all part of their struggle to try to find their place in our society. A process made increasingly difficult with the constant vilification they tend to receive these days.

Paris may have ”been found guilty of boasting” in many of the messages she posted to her social media accounts however; is she really guilty of an offence here? She may have (unintentionally I hope) offended someone however; is she actually guilty of the bigotry, homophobia or the promotion of alcohol and substance misuse that The Mail seeks to imply?

If she is actually guilty of anything it’s probably just an acute case of immature stupidity! But I’m also concerned that we may be expecting a little too much of our youth sometimes; are we really suggesting that our mostly free-thinking ’kids’ should be totally constrained by the same levels of political correctness often endured by the rest of us?

The political correctness of modern-day society that has been a thorn in the side of many policing matters for years now. A decade on since the then Home Office minister John Denham, was criticised for using the phrase “nitty gritty” at the annual Police Federation conference, because of race relations ‘rules’ (see here).

Thankfully we have moved on a little since then. However, there is still a general perception that things haven’t changed that much during the ensuing years, despite some sensible and pertinent comments to the debate at the time (see below).

As long as political correctness stands for self-examination, then it is nothing short of a duty in a responsible society. Where it amounts to the repression of freedom of thought, it is very much the opposite…(Andy D – UK)

Double talk, double think results in lies and deception. Sweep away PC once and for all…(A Social Worker)

All that said and far too often, we still have a tendency to place expectations upon our children, usually without providing them with all the ‘tools’ to adequately complete the tasks we set them. At least not to our ‘expected’ standards. But, as in this case, our ‘standards’ are not actually replicated in many of our younger citizens. The things that we adults believe to be ‘correct’ and ‘right’ (by our ‘standards’) aren’t aways necessarily perceived in the same manner by our youth.

Given the predominant journalistic methodology of The Mail for marginalisation and/or exclusion of our youth from society, it’s hardly surprising that they chose to vilify Paris Brown. Stupidly and naively, she presented them with an ideal and fortuitous opportunity. But we should all remember and consider the original raison d’être behind her appointment i.e. “to build a bridge between the world of young people and policing.”

Paris Brown may (allegedly) drink a little too much, she may be a little loud and in your face. She may be a little too sexually active for someone of such ‘tender’ years and she may say things on Twitter and Facebook that some find inappropriate or offensive however; she IS (like it or not) indicative of today’s youth. But also, unlike many of her peers, perhaps she actually sees a way forward to change adult perception about our youth?

In addition to that, Ann Barns appears to be actually trying to understand the problems surrounding youth offending and anti-social behaviour, all be it a little late. Hopefully she is also trying to do something constructive to combat these problems? Can the same really be said about the rest of us?