HR can make a real difference to the effectiveness of policing in the UK, according to industry leaders.
Delegates at the fifth annual police forum, held by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), heard how HR could help develop leadership skills that would help police managers to combat threats from staff turnover, the power of technology, a hostile media and terrorism.
Lord Richard Wilson, president of the CIPD, said a great threat to law and order was the perception of the police.
“HR support for the police in terms of leadership is very important,” he said. “Leadership is about a strong feeling of understanding and addressing staffs’ concerns and respect for individual issues.
“The police service is under enormous pressure and HR is central to equipping staff and managers to drive and motivate staff to improve things for the public,” Wilson said.
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Angela O’Connor, director of HR for the Crown Prosecution Service, said the way people feel about work has a major impact on performance.
“Our job is like corporate valium – we can get the best performance out of people so tat we get the best for the organisation,” she said.
