Watchdogs call for better police procurement

A joint report by the Audit Commission, HM Inspector of Constabularies and Wales Audit Office says that police forces need better procurement skills and contract management expertise to get the best from suppliers. According to the findings, published on 20 July 2010, 25% of police procurement staff have no relevant qualification and 75% have no continuing development training. There is also more scope for centralised purchasing, say the auditors. They found that in 2010 only 30% of forces had centralised all their back office functions, although 22 forces shared at least one back office function with other forces or partner organisations. Essex Police, for example, leads an IT programme involving the six eastern region forces, the City of London and Kent. Essex is also joining forces with Kent to merge IT departments, with predicted savings of £20m over 10 years. The findings show that police forces buy two thirds of their ICT equipment through framework contracts and that regional purchasing groups include 18 forces that have joined up to purchase ICT and stationery. The Home Office expects to find a further £400m of savings by 2014 through new frameworks for procurement and improved ICT, says the document. However, the auditors say the Home Office should focus on the "remaining high value potential" and consider the volumes of products and services purchased as well as unit costs. In particular, it says that reducing variations in telecoms spending could save £24m. It found that in 2008-09 25% of forces spent less than £329 per employee on telecoms, whereas 25% spent more than £548. Michael O'Higgins, chair of the Audit Commission, said: "Better value for money in policing will be a challenge, but it is possible. Many police forces have shown how to save money and actually improve performance while maintaining public confidence - some have even done this with fewer police officers. And greater local scrutiny of police spending should help the higher spending forces." Sir Denis O'Connor, Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Constabulary, said: "Our reports show that whilst some forces are getting ready for the budget cuts we know are inevitable, many forces have yet to make adequate preparations. "We are today challenging the police, managers and politicians who make strategic decisions about the future of policing in England and Wales, to use our reports to examine their choices thoroughly so that the public's safety and well-being are not put at risk."