Having been ordered to cut £4.1 million from its budget, Merseyside Police will now not consider recruiting until after the 2010/11 financial year. Already it has not replaced around 60 officers who left the force between April and June this year.
The last intake of new officers was in March 2010 and with the force training programme on hold, around 240 officer posts are expected to be lost. Merseyside Police Authority is waiting for the outcome of the Government’s comprehensive spending review before making a decision on future recruitment.
It will be published in October, but it is not thought forces will know what this means for their budgets until December. A 25 per cent cut over four years is anticipated.
Paul Johnson, chief executive of Merseyside Police Authority, said it would be “irresponsible” to restart the recruitment programme until they know the outcome of the Government’s review.
Also this week, Gloucestershire Constabulary announced its decision to postpone further intakes until after the comprehensive spending review. A further 12 recruits had been planned for 2010/11.
Assistant Chief Constable Ivor Twydell said: “It is obviously very disappointing news for both those affected and the constabulary. We share their frustration in not knowing exactly what the future will bring.
“It’s not a decision we have taken lightly. Unfortunately, it reflects a financial situation being felt across the country. We are as keen as anyone else to continue to maintain a steady stream of high-calibre recruits into Gloucestershire Constabulary, but it simply wouldn’t be prudent until we have a better idea of what the long-term financial landscape looks like for us.”
Source: www.policeprofessional.com
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