Reducing bureaucracy in policing
On 2 December 2009, the Home Office published a report (Reducing bureaucracy in policing) which builds on the work of Sir Ronnie Flanagan and takes a comprehensive look at the police service. The report sets out a number of recommendations aimed at removing unnecessary red-tape, freeing up police time and strengthening front line discretion to serve the public better.
Key recommendations include:
- roll-out of a successful pilot scheme which gives officers discretion to deal with some crimes in the most effective and proportionate way;
- making sure officers understand how they can deal with offenders through different options within the criminal justice system, for example through restorative justice or the courts;
- making sure officers understand acceptable ways of dealing with each crime and the consequences for public confidence and satisfaction;
- making sure decisions are made at the right level and that each officer’s role is clearly defined within that process.
Reducing bureaucracy in policing
