Local command and control returns and strengthens border collaboration
Amore visible police presence on the streets of Gloucestershire and an improved firearms capability around the region are the aims of a new collaboration agreement with all six police forces bordering our county . Changes to the previous Tri-force arrangement were under review for several months and officially changed in April, when Gloucestershire Tri-Force officers and staff came back under the sole command of the Chief Constable Rod Hansen. Gloucestershire Police for Gloucestershire people was an integral part of the Police and Crime Plan when it was re-launched in 2017 and the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) and Chief Constable have been working on a new strategy for policing the county’s road network. They are also collaborating with PCCs and chief constables in Avon and Somerset and Wiltshire on local and strategic firearms policing
requirements. Dog sections too have returned to local command and control. PCC Martin Surl believes they will enhance local policing and bolster areas most affected by recent cutbacks.“Specialist policing of Gloucestershire’s roads has understandably deteriorated due to financial cuts and in my view effective policing of the strategic road network has all but vanished. I do not believe this is acceptable or sustainable. “I am pleased we have those officers and their expertise back under the control of Gloucestershire’s Chief Constable to support our neighbourhood and response teams. “This was not a case of Gloucestershire pulling out and there has been no big-fall out.We are still working with Avon & Somerset and Wiltshire, as we do with other forces where it works for Gloucestershire and there is mutual benefit” l
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