29.06.12
Police forces consider outsourcing deal
Police from three counties in the East of England are investigating outsourcing services to tackle a £73m funding gap, it has emerged.
Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire are considering using the private security company G4S to provide HR, finance and IT services. The move could affect 1,100 staff and save each force £20m a year by 2015.
The union Unison has criticised the plans and suggests they could lead to contracting out other services like 999 call handling and forensics.
Chief Constable Simon Parr of Cambridgeshire Police said: “If I can find a way of taking a bigger amount of money out by working with an external partner that will allow me to protect my frontline.
“It’s a privatisation of some services. It's not a privatisation of policing. It’s not an easy choice and I absolutely understand the worry about job security.”
David Craig, secretary of Unison’s Cambridgeshire police staff branch, said: “It will not stop at this current swathe. There will be others.”
If the proposal is approved, outsourced services could be in place by April 2013.
Tell us what you think – have your say below, or email us directly at [email protected]