§ Mr. Arthur Davidsonasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement about appointments to the office of Inspector of Constabulary.
§ Mr. Roy JenkinsThe present establishment for England and Wales is for a Chief Inspector of Constabulary and ten Inspectors, including the Commandant of the Police College and the Head of134W the Police Research and Planning Branch. As the programme of amalgamations of police forces proceeds, it will be possible to reduce the number of Inspectors engaged on general inspection duties. It is, however, becoming clear that the rapid introduction of new techniques and new equipment in the police service makes some degree of specialisation desirable, so that the Inspectors can develop the more constructive side of their work. I have decided that this situation can best be met by appointing to two of the existing posts one Inspector specialising in all police aspects of road traffic and another specialising in all matters concerning crime, including crime prevention.
The duties of these two officers, under the Chief Inspector, will be to advise me and my Department, and other Departments as necessary, on all professional matters within their particular fields. They will also support the district inspectors in giving advice to Chief Constables in these fields. For the time being, until the programme of amalgamations has been completed, they will also assist with the routine work of inspection.
Mr. F. E. Williamson, the Chief Constable of Cumbria, has been selected for appointment as specialist Inspector on crime and Mr. J. T. Manuel, who is already an Inspector of Constabulary, for the new post on road traffic. Mr. R. G. Fenwick, the Chief Constable of Shropshire, has been appointed an Inspector of Constabulary. It is expected that these officers will take up their new duties towards the end of the summer. These appointments involve no increase in the establishment of the inspectorate.