Chief Constable Paul Sanford has called for a shift in police funding priorities, urging authorities to focus less on officer numbers and more on investing in advanced technology to improve crime-solving and victim support. Sanford, who leads on finances for police chiefs and heads Norfolk Constabulary, criticized the current obsession with minimum officer numbers as outdated and ineffective.
The Push for Modern Technology in Policing
Sanford argued that reallocating funds toward technology could lead to a more effective police force, even with fewer officers. “I would rather have 90 officers equipped with the right technology than 100 using outdated tools to address today’s challenges,” Sanford said.
Advanced software, for example, could save police forces significant time and resources. In Norfolk alone, software designed to transcribe and log non-emergency 101 calls could save six minutes per call—a significant reduction for the 360,000 calls the force receives annually. However, tight budgets make adopting such innovations nearly impossible for many police forces.
Challenges with Officer-Number Mandates
Since 2014, UK police forces have been required to meet a minimum officer count, with financial penalties of £50,000 per officer for falling short. Sanford criticized this approach, stating that it forces forces to prioritize headcount over efficiency. “Policing has failed to invest in technologies and infrastructure that would vastly improve our service,” he said.
Sanford also noted that the inability to make officers redundant exacerbates the problem, leading to cuts in civilian staff and community support roles to balance budgets.
A Budget Crisis for UK Police Forces
Police chiefs in England and Wales estimate they need an additional £3 billion to operate effectively. Despite this, the latest government settlement provided a modest 3% budget increase, which is expected to be consumed by rising national insurance costs.
Sanford warned that some forces are nearing a financial breaking point. “Many are close to only being able to deliver core services, such as responding to emergency calls and investigating serious crimes,” he said, adding that the next budget round in 2025 will be crucial.
Political Promises and Public Spending
Both major parties have emphasized officer numbers in their campaigns. Labour’s 2024 general election manifesto promises 13,000 additional officers and community support staff, while the Conservatives continue to highlight their 20,000-officer “uplift” following years of austerity cuts.
Sanford cautioned against this focus on numbers, likening it to “running a supermarket with more people on the shop floor but no one managing the warehouse.” He argued that investing in a “digital revolution” within policing is essential to tackling modern threats.
Government Response
The Home Office defended its current policies, citing its commitment to protecting officer numbers and investing in neighborhood policing. “Next year, £376.8m will be available to forces to maintain staffing levels, and additional recruitment funds will also be accessible,” a spokesperson said.
