In accordance with section 1 (1) (b) of the Act our response is
provided below;
Please note that we have merged your two requests from the 3rd
and 9th March 2009, as they were both very similar requests with a
few minor differences. Please also be aware that questions 18 - 23
are from your first request as they were not duplicated within your
second request.
Question 1
None
Question 2
Not Applicable. The primary purpose for the PCSOs is to enhance
the visible uniformed policing presence in public places, reinforce
policing by providing support to the community and other police
officers and gather community intelligence to identify threats at
an early stage. PCSOs play a major
part in the detection of crimes but the investigation and case
building would be completed by a police officer.
Question 3
Not Applicable.
Question 4
A new performance framework is being put into place for PCSOs
within Cheshire - copy attached.
PCSO Performance Framework Template
Question 5
No
Question 6
Not Applicable
Question 7
It is difficult to provide an exact comparison between 2008 and
2002 as the structure of the force has completely changed within
that time so it is not necessarily comparing like with like.
In 2002 I believe 'beat duty' officers were classed as patrol,
as of 31/03/02 there were 511 Police Constables who were classed as
patrol.
As of the 31/03/08 there were 440 police constables in the
Neighbourhood Policing Unit. However as well as this there are an
additional 232 PCSOs in the
NPUs which
didn't exist in 2002. It is worth taking this into account if
trying to compare the 'on the street presence' if that is the
intention.
Question 8
Please note: data was only retrievable from 2003 onwards
(PCSO
did not exist within Cheshire until 2003)
2007/08 - 237
2006/07 - 177
2005/06 - 76
2004/05 - 69
2003/04 - 50
Question 9
47 recorded misconduct cases
Question 10
19 recorded gross misconduct cases
Question 11
1 recorded misconduct against PCSO
Question 12
0 recorded gross misconduct against PCSO
Question 13
| Nature of case (Misconduct) (Police) |
Outcome |
| Honesty and Integrity |
Advice |
| Politeness and Tolerance - derogatory remarks |
Advice |
| Confidentality - accesssing police systems for non policing
purpose |
NFA |
| Lawful Orders - employed by another oganisation whilst
suspended from duty |
NFA |
| Performance of Duties - Failing to act on information
received |
Advice |
| General Conduct - inappropriate discharge of CS spray |
Advice |
| Honesty and Integrity - Ommission of evidence |
Advice |
| Abuse of Authority |
NFA |
| Performance of Duties - Asleep in marked vehicle |
Advice |
| Politeness and Tolerance - Discourteous behaviour |
NFA |
| Property - Loss of Personal Protective Equipment |
NFA |
| Excessive Force |
Advice |
| Performance of Duties |
NFA |
| General Conduct - not taking action during incident whilst off
duty |
Advice |
| General Conduct - claim for overtime not entitled to |
NFA |
| General Conduct - Discreditable conduct |
Advice |
| Performance of Duties - Negligent discharge of firearm |
Advice |
| Honesty and Integrity - failure to disclose dismissal from
another force |
Resigned |
| Lawful Orders - misuse of police systems |
Advice |
| Performance of Duties - failure to deploy patrol to
incident |
Advice |
| Use of Force - assault and damage to vehicle |
NFA Resigned |
| General Conduct - allegation of assault |
NFA |
| Performance of Duties |
Advice |
| Politeness and Tolerance |
Advice |
| Criminal Offences - Theft of car parts from force garage -
unknown officer |
NFA |
| General Conduct |
NFA Resigned |
| General Conduct |
NFA Resigned |
Question 14
| Nature of cases (Gross misconduct) Police |
Outcome |
| Politeness and Tolerance - Sending inappropriate
emails |
Warning |
| Criminal Offences - Unfit for duty |
Warning |
| Performance of Duties - Breach of Code C |
Warning |
| Performance of Duties - Failure to conduct investigation in
prof. manner |
Warning |
| Politeness and Tolerance |
Caution |
| Performance of Duties - Submission of false overtime claim |
Warning |
| General Conduct |
Resigned |
| Performance of Duties - Taking sick leave when not ill |
Warning |
| Performance of duties - Failing to attended rostered tours of
duty |
Warning |
| Confidentiality - accessing police systems for non-policing
purpose |
Warning |
| Criminal Offences - damage to police property |
Warning |
| General Conduct - Discreditable conduct |
Warning |
| General Conduct - Discreditable conduct |
Warning |
| Performance of Duties - refusal to obey lawful order |
Warning |
| Lawful Orders - failure to obey lawful order |
Warning |
| Politeness and Tolerance - abusive language |
Warning |
| Performance of Duties |
Warning |
| Performance of Duties - failing to report for duty |
Warning |
Question 15
| Nature of cases (Misconduct) PCSO |
Outcome |
| Honesty and Integrity - providing false account of driving
incident |
Resigned |
79 PCSOs left. We are
unable to be specific about the reasons within the FOI costs limits associated with
this request. It would require an examination of each individual
personnel file and possibly further cross reference with each
current Police officer to accurately report this information.
Question 16
19
Question 17
Twelve PCSOs were assaulted
on duty in 2007/08. None were seriously injured, all were minor or
no injuries.
Question 18
PCSOs
received two days of self-defence training during their initial
training.
Question 19
PCSOs receive
refresher training annually on self-defence.
Question 20
PCSOs do not receive
training on baton and cuffs.
Questions 21 and 22
Section 17 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 requires
Cheshire Constabulary, when refusing to provide such information
(because the information is exempt) to provide you with a notice
which a) states that fact, b) specifies the exemption in question
and c) states (if that would not otherwise be apparent) why the
exemption applies.
Reasons for the decision
In this case we can neither Confirm Nor Deny that we hold the
information you have requested by virtue of Section 24(2) National
Security; Section 31(3) Law Enforcement an Section 38(2) Health and
Safety.
Recent events have shown that terrorist and criminals can and
are actively trying to carry out attacks against members of the
public. It is the duty of the police to protect the public from all
criminal/terrorist related attacks.
Any disclosure under FOI is a disclosure to the world
in general and irrespective of whether information is or isn't held
the Police Service will not reveal any detail which could
compromise national security, undermine effective law enforcement
or endanger any individual.
There is a requirement to consider whether there is any public
interest which may overcome the harm in confirming or denying the
existence of such information which would primarily hinge on
accountability to ensure the police are providing resources to
effectively police these locations, and on the flip side efficient
and effective conduct of the police service relating to the
operational capabilities for the prevention and detection of
criminal activity together with public safety, which is always of
paramount importance.
Therefore at this time the balance of the public interest
favours maintaining our stance in being unable to confirm or deny
that such information exists.
No inference can be taken from this refusal that the information
you have requested does or does not exist.
Question 23
None