§ Sir John StanleyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if it is his policy to encourage police authorities to increase the civilian staff of police forces in order to release more police officers for operational duties; and if he will make a statement. [105422]
§ Mr. Charles ClarkeStaffing levels in a police force, whether police officers or civilians, are a matter for the police authority and chief officer to determine. It is my policy to encourage authorities and chief officers to make efficient and effective use of staff resources.
Police authorities have been required to plan and deliver efficiency gains of 2 per cent. year on year between 1999–2002. Efficiency gains totalling £440 million will be redeployed to support front-line policing. Civilianisation of non-operational posts can play a key role in releasing resources for operational work.