Dorset Police and the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Dorset are launching ‘Your Dorset. Your Police. Your View.’ – a new way to make your views heard and to help shape the county’s policing in the future.
Over the next six months, a series of in-depth features, events and activities will lift the lid on what policing is really about, not just in areas well-known to the public like neighbourhood policing and responding to emergencies, but behind-the-scenes too.
Each month, the spotlight will shine on a different theme. Activities during the first part of each month will provide in-depth information about that theme, with the second part giving people a chance to share their views about what’s most important to them and how the police should be approaching challenges in that area of policing.
Chief Constable Debbie Simpson said, “The last few years have seen an unprecedented pace and scale of change in policing, with every police force needing to make large financial savings, while modernising and continuing to deliver essential policing services.
“On a typical day in Dorset, we respond to around 219 emergency calls, handle another 1,300 non-emergency calls, investigate 99 crimes and make 35 arrests. However, this kind of visible activity that the public already knows is at the heart of policing is actually only a small part of what we do.
“At any one time, we will also be simultaneously carrying out complex and lengthy investigations into crimes such as child abuse, using a range of tactics to tackle serious organised criminality, and working with partners to keep the most vulnerable people in the county safe. Policing demands have changed drastically over the last five years and it’s inevitable we will have to make further changes to how we police in the near future.
“Through ‘Your Dorset. Your Police. Your View’, we are giving you the opportunity to learn more about the challenges and complexities of modern policing, while also seeking your views about what’s most important so we can consider this when planning how we can best meet your needs and keep you safe in the future.”
Dorset Police & Crime Commissioner Martyn Underhill said, “I am excited by this project, as it is a huge opportunity for the voice of the public to be heard in shaping future policing. It is really important that we have this discussion.
“We know that policing delivery doesn’t always match the public expectation or public perception, and this work will help us understand that more. We also know that public views vary across the county, and we have a chance here to capture those different views.
“This piece of work will also help the public better understand the challenges we are facing and enable us to work together to identify which areas of policing to prioritise.
“I encourage as many people as possible to take part in this project, so that they can help shape policing in Dorset for future generations.”
The monthly themes that will be covered are:
- August – Modernising to improve policing: Including how Dorset Police uses technology to keep officers on patrol and the different job roles in the Force.
- September – Preventative and proactive policing: Exploring areas such as tackling criminal gangs, managing offenders and reducing road deaths.
- October – Protecting you from Risk and Harm: A look behind-the-scenes at the often-unseen work to protect the most vulnerable people in our county.
- November – Local policing in your area: Covering emergency response, Neighbourhood Policing and how the public get in contact with the Force.
- December – Working smarter and closer with others: Including other local public organisations, voluntary groups and Devon & Cornwall Police.
There will be a short break to public-facing events in January while feedback from previous months is analysed to identify trends and the most important priorities that the public want Dorset Police to consider, before the final month’s topic:
- February – Making your views matter: Feeding back the findings so far, seeking views on how to meet multiple priorities identified across different months within the funding available to the Force, and explaining how the Force will be using the results.
More details about each month and the features, events and activities that will be taking place are available online at http://yourview.dorset.police.uk. People can also share their views on this website, or by following Dorset Police on Twitter and Facebook, using the hashtag #YourView.
