Water way to improve South Yorkshire Police morale

SOUTH Yorkshire Police officers can expect improvements to the force gymnasium, more water coolers and more recognition when they do well at work, the Police and Crime Commissioner has promised.

Shaun Wright has vowed to do his best to cheer up officers and staff at the force. In an interview to mark his first year in the post, Mr Wright accepted more needed to be done to improve morale at the force.

He said: “I have asked the chief constable [David Crompton] to bring a number of suggestions from the staff in terms of improving morale. We are looking at suggestions around improving the gymnasium and establishing water coolers in buildings that do not have them.

“There are a number of small things that can make a real difference to people’s working conditions and wellbeing. I am doing all I can from my side to support the workforce to do an effective job.”

South Yorkshire Police Federation hit out at Mr Wright last month after he said the force’s performance was “unacceptable” and it “must do more and do it faster”.

Neil Bowles, Fed chairman, said he was “really angered” by the comments and added: “When morale across the force is at such an all-time low, I would like to know how this statement is designed to motivate my already overworked members.”

Speaking to CopperConnection this month, Mr Wright said he wanted to improve communication and information-sharing in the force, and ensure that people who do a good job are properly praised.

He added: “There are issues around recognition of good work – so we will be bolstering the annual awards to encourage that.”

Mr Wright, who spent 13 years as a representative for the National Union of Public Employees – a precursor to Unison – said he is sympathetic to the concerns of police officers and staff in times of austerity.

“I have said there is going to be no privatisation of policing services – so that gives people the surety that they will keep their jobs.”

Mr Wright said he was pleased the force has been able to retain police numbers. He added: “During this period of the comprehensive spending review, there has been just a handful of compulsory reductions and we are seeking to avoid this wherever possible.

“We are offering voluntary redundancies – so we will be assisting people to leave with dignity which is always preferable. I have made a commitment to keep compulsory redundancies to a minimum.

“I sought to protect the number of officers and community support officers. I have committed to using resources to retain officers. In 2012/13 I provided funding to replace all 110 officers that left that year. This year we are having 60 officers replaced. And I have protected every single CSO role. I have done my best to retain numbers.”