SOUTH Yorkshire Police has celebrated its 40th birthday.<\/p>\n
The Force was formed on April 1 1974 as a merger of the previous Sheffield and Rotherham Constabulary joining the Barnsley and Doncaster parts of the West Yorkshire Constabulary area.\u00a0This picture shows some of the earliest members of South Yorkshire Police from 1976.<\/p>\n
These days, the Force covers approximately 600 square miles across South Yorkshire and employs 5733 staff; this includes police officers, Community Support Officers (PCSOs), support staff and Special Constables.<\/p>\n
For many years, Snig Hill was the Force Headquarters, until January 2013, when the Senior Command Team and other police services moved to new premises at Carbrook House, Sheffield.<\/p>\n
Chief Constable David Crompton, who joined the Force in April 2012, said: “I am extremely proud to be the chief constable of South Yorkshire Police as it reaches its 40th anniversary.<\/p>\n
\u201cSince joining the Force in 2012, I have never failed to be impressed by the professionalism, dedication and bravery of the people that work for the organisation.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhile it is important to recognise landmarks such as this anniversary and mark the achievements made by our predecessors, it is testament to the hard work of the staff employed by South Yorkshire Police today that customer satisfaction remains high and crime rates are falling, despite our workforce shrinking.<\/p>\n
Shaun Wright, Police and Crime Commissioner, said: \u201cSo many things have changed in 40 years of policing, including the force itself.\u00a0 Ther dedicated people employed by our police force over the last 40 years have helped to design a robust police service that is now at the forefront of tackling many modern crime threats.<\/p>\n
\u201cSadly, austerity is changing the shape of the force and you will all be aware of how difficult policing is in these difficult times, however, I still see a force dedicated to making a difference, with officers and staff who care deeply about the people of South Yorkshire.\u00a0 We are still reducing crime across the county with officers consistently going above and beyond the call of duty.\u201d<\/p>\n
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