Devolved policing in Wales: Public must come first, says Police Federation
Any move to devolve policing in Wales should be done purely with the aim of improving the service for the public, the Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW) has said.
In its submission to the Silk Commission, set up to review current constitutional arrangements in Wales, the PFEW lays out 13 key recommendations required for a smooth devolution of policing powers to the Welsh Government.
Among those is an expectation that a devolved Welsh police service would deal with all levels of crime.
“PFEW is unclear as to the actual definition of ‘devolving policing’,” the submission says. “We would need some clarity if this refers to just the ‘blue light aspects’ or if it means also ‘pay and conditions’ or indeed some – or part of – the roles and functions of UK ministers, such as the Home Secretary passing competence in whole or part to Welsh ministers.”
Evidence clearly suggests that should devolution occur, the four Welsh police forces should continue to operate at all levels in the same way as forces in Scotland and Northern Ireland, the PFEW says.
While a devolved Welsh police service should be responsible for all policing functions, police officer pay and conditions should continue to be dealt with through a national framework.
The submission calls on the Welsh Government to ensure that crime figures are collated “accurately, ethically and candidly”.
PFEW does not accept that crime is falling, as the government insists.
“We do however accept that the way in which crime is recorded has changed and we are resolute in our position that by reducing police numbers – and in reality taking police officer from the streets – does not cut crime or offer protection to the public.”
With the Welsh Government itself acknowledging that a devolved police service would not be possible until circa 2020, the PFEW calls for the reformation of the Police Policy Group at the Welsh Government to ensure as smooth a transition as possible should devolution be given the green light.
The submission also states that “budgets will need to be clear and understandable and scrutinised to ensure public service delivery improves”, saying that the current service in Wales is “nowhere near what the public deserve or should expect”.
The Federation goes on to say that it would be possible to devolve police powers in Wales without devolving other parts of the criminal justice system, while it is envisaged that a mutual aid agreement should exist between a devolved Welsh force and those in the rest of the UK.
Steve Williams, Chairman of the Police Federation of England and Wales, said:
“In preparing this submission, the PFEW sought out not to say whether a devolved police service in Wales 'should be achieved' but rather whether it 'could be achieved'.
“The extensive evidence we gathered and considered suggests that a devolved police service in Wales is possible.
“It is clear that many questions remain unanswered and there is great deal of work to be undertaken by both governments to ensure any transition is made effectively and smoothly.
“If this were to be progressed, we would play our full and equal part in achieving that aim.
“But one thing of which we are certain is that any decision to devolve policing in Wales must be made in the best interests of the public and the public alone.”
