HMIC: South Yorkshire Police “requires improvement”

RECENT changes in the way South Yorkshire Police operates are preventing it from improving the morale of its workforce, Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) has found.

As part of its annual PEEL (police effectiveness, efficiency and legitimacy) assessment of the force, the police watchdog found that low morale was a problem throughout the force.

However, it noted that the command team is working to alleviate the pressures on leave and rest days.

The force was judged as “requires improvement” in how legitimately it keeps people safe and reduces crime, a rating described as “disappointing” by HMIC as last year it was deemed “good”.

“Although treating people fairly is a stated priority for the force, recent changes in the way it operates are preventing it from both effective involvement with local communities and improving the morale of its workforce,” said HM Inspector of Constabulary Mike Cunningham.

“The force also needs to improve its understanding of workforce wellbeing issues. Although it has a number of methods to achieve this, we found that these are applied infrequently and inconsistently.”

However, he said the force was performing well in ensuring its workforce behaves ethically and lawfully. “The force clarifies and reinforces acceptable behaviour standards, and also has a good understanding of the risks to its integrity,” said Mr Cunningham.

The inspection also assessed, for the first time, how well forces tackle officer abuse of authority for sexual gain.

South Yorkshire Police recognises the problem as serious corruption and has highlighted this to the workforce and public, found the report.