Police PR bill rise biggest in country
Last updated 10:33, Monday, 26 May 2008
THE amount of money spent on public relations by Cumbria police has increased more than any other force in the country.
New figures have revealed that in 2005, £132,500 was spent on public relations, press officers and external communications compared with £298,851 last year.
The staggering 125 per cent increase put Cumbria at the top of the table for forces with the biggest hike in spending in the 24 months.
The biggest increase was on PR staff with figures revealing a £253,851 spend in 2007 – up from £107,500 in 2005. The remainder of the cash was spent on Freedom of Information officers and was almost identical year-on-year.
Cumbria’s PR spend is the equivalent of £47,233 per 100,000 people in the county.
Nationally, forces are spending nearly £40 million-a-year on so-called spin doctors and news management – up 13 per cent from 2005, the research claimed.
Cumbria Constabulary has defended the spend, saying that over the past three years it had established a professional marketing and communications team to meet increasing demands from media. And they said a consultation revealed Cumbrians preferred to receive their information through media channels.
A spokesman said: “The investment has been in staff to undertake activities such as promoting our neighbourhood policing to meet these demands.
“Further investment has taken place to develop marketing activities. This has included in part the transfer of skilled marketing staff already in the Constabulary to form the new team.
“The team has played a pivotal part in dealing with major incidents such as the Grayrigg train crash and the first marketing campaign for the Constabulary – Respect – which has delivered a reduction in anti-social behaviour, 14 per cent reduction is the last calendar year.
“Cumbria Constabulary is a high performing force and is committed to being open and honest with the communities of Cumbria in relation to crime within their area and what we are doing to keep the county one of the safest places to live, work and visit.”
The research was carried out by Freedom of Information campaigner Heather Brooke.
Why do we need all this PR and spin. Just put the money into front line policing and do the job properly. You do not gain respect by right, it has to be earned, so Chief Constable start off on the right foot by weeding out the waste. There appear to be more administrators and back room staff in Cumbria Constabulary than full time serving officers. Media bulletins do not solve crime, neither do policemen sitting in offices ticking boxes on forms. A lot of funding is provided by the overstreched tax payers of Cumbria who are paying more and more each year for a diminishing service. Come on C.C. let us see what you are made of. We have all read recently the glowing report from your force showing crime reduction over the past year. Who are you trying to kid?. It is my experience that crimes are not being reported to the Police because the public know nothing will be done. Lets get back to the real world.
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Couldn't agree more with Ian B.
It is a fact that less than 50% of police officers in Cumbria are performing front line uniform duties. Shame on the rest of them for drawing their salaries when they don't have the accountability or restraints of their front line colleagues.
Posted by Stephanie Siddsaway on 4 June 2008 kl. 13:23