Lincolnshire Police plan to utilise their reserve funds as a measure to prevent a sizable job loss within the force. The force is currently at risk of losing up to 200 police officers and 200 support staff. To hold off this reduction, Chief Constable Paul Gibson has decided to reallocate the reserve funds in order to preserve existing staff numbers.
The force is concurrently negotiating with the government over financial aid. Although the reallocation of reserve funds will help keep the service levels stable for now, it does point towards impending financial challenges in the upcoming year. Prior to this decision, there was a projection showing a decrease from 1,200 to 1,000 officers along with a 20% reduction in support staff in the worst-case scenario.
In light of the current financial state of the police force, seven local MPs raised alarm over ‘bankruptcy concerns’ with the Home Office. They flagged the potential issue of receiving a Section 114 notice, which would indicate effective bankruptcy. Reiterating the need for increased funding, Chief Constable Gibson expressed his expectations for fruitful discussions with the newly appointed Policing Minister, Sarah Jones, towards securing a financially stable future.
Chief Constable Gibson commented, ‘We continue to have productive and positive conversations with the Home Office. Along with the Police and Crime Commissioner Marc Jones, I have decided to delay any reductions for now and prioritise filling urgent vacancies in order to maintain adequate service for Lincolnshire residents.’ The police force is presently overstretched because of existing vacancies that have been left unfulfilled pending clarity over finances.
This story was in part reproduced from the original reporting by www.bbc.com and reshaped by The Lincoln Post.
