DORSET Police has been graded as a ‘good’ force following an annual review by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC).

Following annual reviews of police effectiveness, efficiency, legitimacy and leadership (PEEL), HMIC has graded Dorset Police as ‘good’ overall at keeping people safe and reducing crime.

Reports published yesterday have been welcomed by the force and the Acting Police and Crime Commissioner.

HMIC inspections into Dorset Police’s legitimacy and leadership took place between March and June 2016.

The report read: "The force understands the importance of fair and respectful treatment, and takes measures to seek public feedback. However, more could be done to bring vetting procedures into line with national standards, and ensure that the resources are in place to tackle corruption."

These reports follow on from HMIC’s report on efficiency, published in November 2016, where Dorset Police was also given an overall grading as ‘good’.

The report read: "Dorset Police has a comprehensive understanding of the full range of the current demand for its services and the force’s evaluation of likely future demand is extensive. It has identified a number of areas of growing demand including child sexual exploitation, and paedophile and online investigation. 

"Dorset Police is continuing to collaborate with Devon and Cornwall Police, sharing services and reducing costs. This should continue to make its services more efficient. The force has improved the management of its finances since 2015 and future investment plans are designed to achieve greater efficiency and service improvement."

Of the 43 police forces graded, 36 were assessed as ‘good’, two as ‘outstanding’ and five as ‘require improvement.’

In areas for improvement the report highlighted that the force should improve its workforce’s understanding of its gifts and hospitality policy and how it manages individual performance. 

Deputy Chief Constable James Vaughan said: “I am pleased that HMIC has assessed Dorset Police’s legitimacy as ‘good’. Policing by consent is vital to ensure that we continue to be effective and efficient in keeping all of our local communities safe.

“Whilst funding to the police services has been significantly reduced since 2011, we remain committed to providing a good service to the residents of Dorset, consistently operating with fairness and respect.

“Efforts will be made to make leadership even more visible throughout Dorset Police, in order to reinforce our principles of fairness and respect, and to continuously improve the service we provide.”

Acting Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner, Colin Pipe, added: “HMIC’s grading of ‘good’ for legitimacy and leadership is welcome news, continuing the ‘good’ rating the force also received last year. 
“The Commissioner is passionate about consistently improving the service offered to residents and this is only possible through strong leadership and community engagement. It is positive to see the Inspectorate recognise Dorset Police for their efforts in this area.” 

Read the full report at justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmic/peel-assessments/peel-2016/dorset/

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HM Inspector of Constabulary Wendy Williams said: “The force is committed to ensuring its workforce behaves ethically and lawfully. It bases its integrity-related investigations on intelligence; however we found that the capacity within its anti-corruption unit appears limited.

"It engages with the public and its workforce about the outcomes of misconduct and corruption cases and takes steps to understand and identify risks to the integrity of its workforce.

"The force places a strong emphasis on the seriousness of sexual misconduct and the abuse of authority by the workforce. It is working with representatives of vulnerable groups to identify and target predatory behaviour. 

"I was impressed with the commitment Dorset Police has shown to ensure the wellbeing of its workforce. In particular, it has taken positive steps to identify and provide support for mental health concerns, which were found to be the highest cause of absence in the force. It also conducts mandatory heath screening for certain roles."