Here’s what the Dorset candidates said to 38 Degrees members about privatisation. Not all of them have given a clear answer about privatisation, some have made a distinction between “back office” and “frontline” privatisation. Others have said they won’t privatise but may consider outsourcing - having a private company take over some parts of the work that police forces do.
Rachel Rogers (Labour):
I have stated publicly on many occasions that I am against privatisation of the police and firmly believe that policing should be a public service, not for profit. I am similarly committed to public service prisons - I find it less than ethical for the state to take away a person's liberty and then allow a private company to make a profit from incarceration.
However, the Government's 20% cuts to policing are well in excess of the 12% that HMIC said was feasible. I am therefore suspicious that the Government's aim is to enforce the privatisation of core services and to pressurise even the most pro-public service candidates (of which I would be one) to make near-impossible decisions. However, my commitment will always be to publicly accountable in-house police services other than for areas where it is sensible and logical to contract out - fleet management, uniform suppliers and IT/telephone infrastructure for example.
I was interested to hear at Labour Party Conference in early October that even G4S don't think the private sector have a place in core policing tasks such as patrolling. They want to run custody services, but in my opinion it is much better to run such services in-house with directly employed public servants.
I do not have any connection with any companies that might be interested in police contracts. Since I was selected as a candidate I have received letters from companies that would fit that criterion and have attended seminars and conferences where such companies have also been present. In order to be as open about these contacts I have published a full list on the Transparency page of my website: http://www.rachelrogers.net/ A copy of the G4S letter can be found here.
Andy Canning (LibDems):
I will not privatise Dorset police services.
I will not allow G4S or similar companies within a mile of any responsible position that I am involved with.
I have no link to any companies that might be interested in police contracts.
Martyn Underhill (Independent):
Can you promise not to privatise Dorset police services?
In relation to privatisation yes I can. However, what a lot of people using the word 'privatisation' are mainly concerned about is out-sourcing. Choosing an external organisation to run a function that has, to that point, been managed in house. Would I consider out-sourcing if I were Dorset's Police and Crime Commissioner? Yes, in certain circumstances I would. There are very many different forms of out-sourcing and the bodies undertaking them can be from the private, public or even third (voluntary) sectors. I consider the Voluntary Sector the best approach, because from my experience, they provide better value for money and outcomes.
Will you allow companies like G4S to get involved in the running of Dorset police?
As contractors, yes, but not as a Company for profit taking a permanent role away from the police. For example, however, some measures may make sense, as contractors.Last year, there was a murder, where the incident was spread over hundreds of yards. It cost tens of thousands of pounds to protect forensically. That was because the scene guardswere six police officers being paid 25 [pounds] ph each, some on overtime. In reality, 4 private security guards, costing 6 [pounds] ph, could have been used, supervised by two police officers. A short term 2 day contract, that makes financial sense.
Do you have any connection to companies that might be interested in police contracts?
No
Nick King (Conservatives):
I don't support 'privatisation' of the police. But then the word 'privatisation' used by so many at the moment is entirely wrong in this context. Let's be clear about the definition of privatisation - it means the transfer of services from the public to the private sector irreversibly, who then run independently.
What those using the word 'privatisation' are concerned about is out-sourcing. Choosing an external organisation to run a function that has, to that point, been managed in house.
Would I consider out-sourcing if I were Dorset's Police and Crime Commissioner? Yes, I would.
If an external body can run a service better and more efficiently than it can be delivered within the organisation then I would look at that. There is of course a caveat to that statement - running a service 'better' means amongst other things retaining the confidence of both its customers and colleagues who have to work alongside it. That's the reason I don't believe that frontline policing should be considered for out-sourcing. I think the public have an expectation that police officers and staff undertake certain jobs, not just on the streets, but also in police custody suits and similar behind the scenes roles.
There are very many different forms of out-sourcing and the bodies undertaking them can be from the private, public or even third (voluntary) sectors. Dorset Police Authority already out sources some of its finance and HR functions to Dorset County Council for example. The financial landscape the first Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner will inherit is going to be really, really tough. If there is an opportunity, through working in partnership with other organisations to reduce cost elsewhere in order that resources can be concentrated on frontline, local policing then I wouldn't hesitate to look at any option.
I've been clear about how I view G4S too. And the best thing I can do is to point you in the direction of this article I wrote on my website back in July: http://www.nick4dorsetpcc.org.
I have no contact whatsoever with any companies that would be interested in working for the Police. I've been open too about all the contact I've had from businesses while standing in this election. That detail is here:http://www.nick4dorsetpcc.org.
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