Joint HR and training service created for Police Forces
Wednesday, 11 January, 2012
Police Authorities in South Yorkshire and Humberside have agreed to create a single Human Resources (HR) and Training function serving both counties.
The collaboration between the forces is expected to generate annual cash savings estimated at up to £2.5m from the end of the programme of change.
Ian Watson, joint assistant chief officer, will head up the new service. He was appointed in November 2010 to lead the development of a shared HR service between the two forces.
As part of his role, Mr Watson was tasked with identifying collaborative opportunities to improve services between the two Forces' HR and Training functions. As a result both HR and Training have been brought together to form a single service.
South Yorkshire and Humberside already have a shared Information and Communications Technology (ICT) function.
Mr Watson said: "The creation of a single HR and training model will assist in the drive for long-term sustainability. It will deliver savings while enhancing services to both Forces - effectively providing more for less.
"The significant cost savings will help to protect the front line from deeper cuts or allow reinvestment in public facing services. It would also reduce duplication, improve ways of working, share expertise and reduce bureaucracy."
Charles Perryman, chair of South Yorkshire Police Authority, said: "The collaboration is in line with the Police Authorities' commitment to protect and better support front line services. The single model will deliver improvements to service delivery and ultimately policing outcomes.
"South Yorkshire and Humberside already share ICT functions, and by bringing HR together with training will further enhance the joint-partnership approach, generating further savings."
Ros Taylor MBE, chair of Humberside Police Authority, added: "The removal of internal boundaries would facilitate specialist HR and Training resources being deployed flexibly across both Forces. It will generate greater resilience and capacity to implement the biggest workforce changes facing the Police Service in a generation."
