Category: Contact and complaints

white image of the lady of justice holding scales forward in front of a deep blue background

“We need independent minds to maintain integrity in policing”: Commissioner opens recruitment for key role

Posted on | by Alex Winter

SURREY residents able to uphold police to the highest standards are being urged to apply for roles as Independent Members.

The post, advertised by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Surrey, will see successful applicants appointed to Police Gross Misconduct Panels.

Panels are convened when police officers or staff are accused of breaching the Standards of Professional Behaviour, and can lead to dismissal from their force.

Surrey Commissioner Lisa Townsend said: “Independent Members around the country support and promote public confidence by maintaining integrity in policing.

“Independent minds”

“Recent high-profile cases, including those of both Wayne Couzens and David Carrick, underline the need to instil the core values of ethics and morality in everything our offices and staff do.

“That’s why my office, as well as Commissioner’s offices in Kent, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, are recruiting more Independent Members.

“We’re looking for local people with independent minds and keen analytical skills. They might come from the professional worlds of law, social work or another relevant area, but whatever their background is, they’ll need to be able to analyse a large amount of information and make sound, reasoned decisions.

Applications open

“We value the differences that people bring from all backgrounds and communities. As a result, we welcome applications for this crucial role from local people with a passion of promoting the highest standards in policing.”

Independent Members usually sit on three or four panels a year. They will commit to a four-year term, with the possibility of a further extension. The role requires police vetting.

Applications close at midnight on October 15.

For more information, or to download an application pack, visit surrey-pcc.gov.uk/vacancy/independent-members/

Independent Office of Police Conduct and National Police Chiefs' Council graphic titled 'Make yourself Heard' contains images of phone key pad and instructions to press 55 in an emergency if you cannot speak while calling 999. Supported by Women's Aid with campaign hashtag #YouAreNotAlone

The two-digit number everyone needs to know in an emergency

Posted on | by Alex Winter

A two-digit number can help save lives in an emergency, Surrey’s Police and Crime Commissioner has said.

Lisa Townsend has urged those who are unable to speak while calling 999 to use the Silent Solution to inform police of a genuine emergency.

The protocol allows people calling the emergency services to soundlessly press 55, alerting call handlers that they’re in trouble without them having to say a word.

Police may not be dispatched if a caller who has dialled 999 remains silent, although Surrey Police will always phone back when there is no communication on a call.

Lisa said those who are suffering domestic abuse may be among those who would benefit from being aware of the Silent Solution.

Domestic abuse can include, but is not limited to, coercive control, physical violence, emotional, sexual or financial abuse, and harassment and stalking.

Reducing violence against women and girls is a key priority in Lisa’s Police and Crime Plan.

She said: “Some of those who are suffering at the hands of a domestic abuser may be unable to openly speak if they need to call 999, perhaps because they’re in grave danger.

“That’s why it’s absolutely crucial for us to raise awareness of the 55 service.

“I’ve seen rumours on social media suggesting that when you dial the number, police can track you automatically via your phone. This is not true, and it’s so important that callers know that.

“What is true is that, when 55 is dialled, the call handler will know someone may be in real danger, and they’ll do their utmost to understand the situation and dispatch officers.

“When a person dials 999, they will initially be asked what service is required. If they press 55 during that initial call, it will be relayed to a police call handler, and the operator will say that 55 has been detected.

“Call handlers across the country are specially trained to deal with this situation. They will make attempts to communicate with the caller using button presses – for example, to press a key twice for ‘yes’.

“They will ask anyone using the 55 service to stay on the line if they’re able and communicate however they can, while ensuring their safety comes first.

“During the call, they’ll also be listening for any noises, such as a disturbance, in the background.

“This system is effective, but only if members of the public know and understand how it works.

“To those who are suffering – you are not alone. Please come forward if you can and allow Surrey Police to help you.”

Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend

Surrey Police among quickest to answer 999 calls but still room for improvement says Commissioner

Posted on | by Surrey PCC

Surrey Police is among the fastest forces in the country in answering emergency calls to the public but there is still room for improvement to reach the national target.

That’s the verdict of the county’s Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend after a league table detailing how long it takes forces to answer 999 calls was published for the first time ever today.

Data released by the Home Office on all forces in the UK shows that between 1 November 2021 to 30 April 2022, Surrey Police were one of the top ten performing forces with 82% of 999 calls answered within 10 seconds.

The national average was 71% and only one force managed to reach the target of answering over 90% of calls within 10 seconds.

The data will now be published regularly as part of a drive to increase transparency and improve processes and the service to the public.

Commissioner Lisa Townsend said: “I have joined a number of shifts in our contact centre since becoming Commissioner and have seen first-hand the crucial role our staff do 24/7 being that first point of contact for our communities.

“We often talk about the policing frontline and the incredible job these staff do is at the absolute heart of that. A 999 call can be a matter of life or death so the demand on them is huge in a really high-pressure environment.

“I know the challenges the Covid-19 pandemic presented for policing were particularly acute for our contact centre staff so I want to thank them all on behalf of Surrey residents.

“The public quite rightly expect the police to respond to 999 calls quickly and effectively, so I am pleased to see that the data released today shows Surrey Police are among the fastest compared to other forces.

“But there is still work to do to reach the national target of 90% of emergency calls answered within 10 seconds. Together with how the Force is performing in answering our non-emergency 101 number, this is something I will be paying close attention to and holding the Chief Constable to account on going forward.”

Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend

Commissioner invites residents to share views in monthly Surgery

Posted on | by Surrey PCC

Police and Crime Commissioner for Surrey Lisa Townsend has launched public surgeries for residents as part of her commitment to enhance the voice of local people in policing Surrey.

The monthly Surgery meetings will offer residents with questions or a concern about the performance or oversight of Surrey Police the ability to receive a response directly from the Commissioner, who will work with them to identify the best route for their enquiry, and discuss any actions that can be taken or supported by the her Office and the Force.

Residents are invited to book a 20-minute slot to discuss their feedback in the evening of the first Friday of every month, lasting one hour between 17:00-18:00. The next Surgeries will take place on 06 May and 03 June.

You can find out more or request a meeting with your Commissioner by visiting our Public Surgeries page. Surgery meetings are limited to six sessions each month and must be confirmed by the Commissioner’s PA team.

Representing the views of residents is a key responsibility of the Commissioner and an important part of monitoring Surrey Police’s performance and holding the Chief Constable to account.

The meetings follow the publication of the Commissioner’s Police and Crime Plan that reflects the priorities the public would like Surrey Police to focus on in the next three years.

The Plan includes strengthening relationships between Surrey residents and Surrey Police, including improving awareness of the role of the Commissioner in improving the service that individuals who report or are affected by a crime receive.

Police and Crime Commissioner Lisa Townsend said: “When I was elected as your Commissioner, I promised to keep the views of Surrey residents at the heart of my policing plans for the county.

“I’ve launched these meetings so I can be as accessible as possible. This is just part of the wider work that I’m undertaken with my Office to raise awareness and grow our engagement with residents and other stakeholders , that includes a return to live Performance and Accountability meetings based on the topics that you tell us are most relevant.”