HC Deb 19 November 2001 vol 375 c88W
28. Lawrie Quinn

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to increase the role of support staff in the police. [13367]

Mr. Denham

The police reform process is looking at ways in which the visibility and accessibility of the police can be increased. A range of tasks are currently undertaken by police officers which could be carried out by suitably trained support staff, freeing up officers to return to the beat.

My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary announced on 1 November, when he published the report by PA Consulting "Diary of a Police Officer", that we are committed to encouraging broader use of support staff for custody duties and handling the paperwork involved in case preparation. We will use the Police Bill to make any necessary legislative changes.