Written Evidence Submitted to the Richard Commission
- Dyfed Powys Police
|
| 4th March 2003 |
The Richard Commission
Caradog House
1-6 St Andrews Place
Cardiff CF10 3BE |
| Dear Sirs |
| I am writing to express the consensus views
of the Members of Dyfed Powys Police Authority in relation
to the suggestion made by some that the responsibilities
of the Government in relation to policing in Wales should
be devolved to the Welsh Assembly Government. |
| There are a number of ways in which the
issue may be addressed, one being the general policy issue
and the other the more pragmatic issue for Dyfed Powys,
namely whether as a Police Authority there would be advantages
in devolution which would assist it to better perform
its functions. |
| This response is largely pragmatic, identifying
issues which in practical terms may advantageously or
adversely affect my Authority. |
| My Authority is impressed by the manner
in which the Assembly Government has addressed its responsibilities
in relation to Community Safety and recognises that these
issues are closely related to the general policing function.
There may also be advantages in seeing the development
of a Welsh policing policy focussing on the particular
issues affecting Wales. My Authority considers that
the current national policing policy may be too focussed
on providing recources to the large conurbations and thus
undervaluing the demands of rural areas. Furthermore,
as the Dyfed Powys Force has one of the best performance
figures in England and Wales, Authority Members consider
that the current grant formula does not sufficiently reward
good performance. Another advantage which could
devolve would be the provision of all grant aid from one
source which might avoid some of the difficulties which
Welsh Police Authorities experienced this year in relation
to delayed announcements of grant aid due to the late
agreement of figures between the Assembly Government and
the Home Office. |
| However, in view of the introduction of
a National Policing Plan and an emphasis on national standards,
training and staff competences, my Authority is concerned
how a devolution of powers could work so as to avoid fragmenting
national policy whilst still recognising the particular
needs of Welsh Forces. The Authority Members also
recognise the complexity of the national police grant
system and are concerned that it may run the risk of an
adverse grant settlement bearing in mind the socio-economic
makeup of Wales. |
| To conclude, the Authority Members, whilst
fully supportive of the Welsh Assembly Government and
the start it has made, consider that it is not possible
at this time to take a definitive view as to devolution.
Whilst a close working relationship with the Assembly
Government is welcomed, time is needed to consider issues
such as those referred to above. |
| Yours faithfully |
|
K B Reeves
Clerk to the Dyfed Powys Police Authority |
|
|
