Home Affairs CommitteeWritten evidence submitted by Hugh Oliver-Bellasis [LSP 25]

Forgive me for adding to your postbag by email, but your recent writings about Police integrity and morale were interesting. I am a member of the Independent Advisory Group [IAG] for the Hampshire Police Force.

The first thing to say is that that our IAG is proactive, inquisitive and is clearly helpful to the Force. I believe it actually makes a difference [but I would say that!]. Secondly, I do not believe that every police force is identical, in fact far from it? I meet a number of members of other forces and am sometimes less than impressed.

The Government cuts have been very painful, but in Hampshire terms, the cuts have ensured the Force has left no stone unturned to make sure they meet the exacting standards they have set themselves. You are right to question what is happening, but I suggest that we have to be careful not to destroy police confidence in highlighting the deficiencies in some forces and assuming one cap fits all.

I suggest that policy has encouraged Forces to pursue target driven goals and that has affected performance in other areas. Complex as it is, changes are needed and in Hampshire that is well under way; the force is well lead.

I would be delighted to meet and share my limited experience.

Thank you for your time to read this note.

Hugh Oliver-Bellasis

January 2013