John Page

But then maybe he could be forgiven for not knowing <sigh>

Tories propose police 'shake-up'
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/4615718.stm

Conservative leader David Cameron is set to call for a "fundamental shake-up" of policing.

Announcing proposals for police reform, Mr Cameron will say pay, conditions and accountability need to change.

"You can't be tough on crime unless you're tough on police reform," he is due to say in a speech in east London.

He wants employment conditions changed so that it is easier to get rid of underperforming police, as well as making forces more accountable.

'No blank cheque'

"The Conservative Party has always valued and supported the police. But there cannot be a blank cheque.

"More resources must be matched by better performance. The public expects value for money," Mr Cameron said.

Mr Cameron, speaking at a youth centre, said employment practices mean it is difficult to sack poor officers once they have passed their 18-month probationary period.

"Police pay and conditions must be modernised to ensure much better police performance.

"That means, amongst other things, making it easier to sack bad officers."

He said flexibility was needed in the police.

"Here is my offer to Britain's police. You make the changes which will improve police performance and we will stop the centralisation and political interference that gets in your way."

Pension changes

His proposals include greater flexibility in pay and conditions to allow officers to be rewarded for improving their skills.

Police pensions would be changed under Mr Cameron's plans to allow those who are no longer physically able to be on the front-line to change careers without losing out.

And, in a bid to give greater local accountability to police forces, Mr Cameron will also propose the abolition of the National Police Plan.

He also wants changes to make forces more accountable to local communities - possibly through elected police commissioners.

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Poster's comment -

There's an important lesson here. Having new policies will be well and good. But it will mean nothing if we don't announce them to the public - and keep issuing releases as opportunities occur.

mkpdavies

Cameron hit all the right notes for me this morning.

Of course UKIP would have been completley ignored if we had called a similar press conference, but we should still be putting out such releases.

__________________
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http://wokinglibertarians.blogspot.com/
http://lpuk.org

My ignore list

Labour, Blue Labour, Lib Dems

John Page

Hi Matt

Absolutely, we're of one mind here (as we both know). Doubtless getting reported will be a gradual process.

If his conference speech is anything to go by, Clive Page [no relation] should have ideas for getting us noticed as UKIP produces more material.

Westcountryman

I'm looking forward to watching Cameron screw up the Police of this Country.

Yes, greater accountability and elected officials, fine.

But limiting funding and making it easier to fire Police Officers? HELL NO!

__________________
Manus haec inimica tyrannis ense petit placidam sub libertate quietam - "This hand of mine, which is hostile to tyrants, seeks by the sword quiet peace under liberty."

mkpdavies

I imagined the police jumping for joy at that bit.

__________________
http://brits4ronpaul.blogspot.com/
http://wokinglibertarians.blogspot.com/
http://lpuk.org

My ignore list

Labour, Blue Labour, Lib Dems

jonewer

Personally, I'd like to see politicians held to the same standards of attendance, performance and integrity as the old bill.