§ 24. Dr. Julian LewisTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on police morale. [47085]
§ Mr. DenhamThere is no established direct method of measuring the level of morale in the police service.
We are determined to tackle those elements of police officers' working lives that can create frustration and detract from their ability to do their jobs in the way that they would wish. We are committed to investment in scientific and technological support and to reducing the burden of unnecessary bureaucracy.
We are seeking agreement on a package of reforms to police pay and conditions of service which would leave the vast majority of officers better off. The package is now subject to conciliation in the PNB.
We have turned around the decline in police numbers that started under the last Government. By 31 January the police service was at record strength and we are on course for our target of 130,000 officers by spring 2003.