A
new ‘copper’s contract’ will introduce service standards for police throughout England
and Wales.
The
service levels will ensure that the public can contact the police quickly on
the phone or the internet.
The
initiative will also include:
–
Clearer information for the public about how to get in touch
–
How the police should deal with their initial call, giving realistic next steps
–
How to measure feedback from the public about the service they have received.
These
objectives will be aided by the establishment of a national non-emergency
number to complement 999.
Speaking
at the Superintendents’ Association annual conference, home secretary David Blunkett said that everyone who
contacts the police should get a good level of service.
"All
too often the public’s impression of the police service is poor, because their
initial contact with the police is disappointing," he said.
"These
new rules will help ensure members of the public calling the police for
non-emergencies will get a consistently high standard of service."
