PLANS to return plain-clothed officers to uniform to increase police visibility in South Yorkshire simply “papers over the cracks” left by reduced resources, the Federation has said.<\/p>\n
The force has launched a scheme to increase police visibility.\u00a0Dozens of officers attached to CID are returning to uniform, while 70 unmarked police vehicles will be given South Yorkshire Police crests.<\/p>\n
The force also has plans to put more signs on its buildings.<\/p>\n
But Neil Bowles, chairman of South Yorkshire Police Federation, has said the changes would simply “paper over the cracks” left by reduced resources. \u201cIt would be far better to have more police officers on the beat,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Mr Bowles pointed out that police are less visible because the force had lost 500 officers since 2007.<\/p>\n
He added that the force has previously chosen to use plain cars and non-uniformed officers for a purpose. \u201cPolice don\u2019t always want to be visible. Plain cars and plain clothes are needed for surveillance, for example, or for going to visit a witness who might not want to be seen talking to police,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The force has had to reduce its budget by \u00a330m since 2010 and faces a further \u00a313m reduction over the next two financial years, representing 20 per cent cuts.<\/p>\n
South Yorkshire\u2019s police and crime commissioner Shaun Wright made increasing police visibility one of his top three priorities in his recent Police and Crime Plan.<\/p>\n
Temporary Assistant Chief Constable Martyn Bates told policeoracle.com: “There are a number of detectives who do not particularly work in covert roles but come into work in jeans and T-shirts. We are not saying they looked a mess but it is not a professional image for the Force and we want people to wear suitable business attire.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt will make them easily identifiable as officers and they look like they will do a professional job.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt will reflect on the Force and make us look more corporate and professional.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n