Conservative PCC Announces More Police for Staffordshire

Wednesday, December 12th, 2012

Matthew Ellis 04Staffordshire’s Police & Crime Commissioner, Conservative Matthew Ellis, has announced plans to recruit police officers and put an end to A19 redundancies.

Staffordshire Police last advertised for police officers three years ago and the last new recruits to join the force started on the 22 February 2010.

Regulation A19, which requires police officers with more than 30 years pensionable service – to and including the rank of chief superintendent – to retire, has been in place since November last year.

The moves follow discussions with Chief Constable Mike Cunningham, Staffordshire Police Federation – which represents rank and file officers – and Staffordshire residents on the pre-election campaign trail.

Matthew Ellis said, “Staffordshire Police has lost a lot of valuable experience since the A19 policy was introduced and has not been able to bring in new blood for even longer.  I’ve got ambitious plans for the next three years so I am determined to keep the best talent within the force.

“This hasn’t been an easy decision but it is the right decision for the police service in Staffordshire so that we can continue to drive down crime.  During the next three years, I want people across all of Staffordshire to see the positive difference that the role of Police and Crime Commissioner will make.

“Opportunities for more joint working, efficiencies and collaboration with other agencies in Staffordshire will mean that we will meet our financial obligations in the future whilst crucially ensuring that jobs and prosperity stay, wherever possible, within Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent.

“I want policing to be more visible to people across Staffordshire and for our determination to prevent crime and reduce re-offending to have even greater impact”