POLICE officers could be taken off the front line and put in backroom jobs, replacing police staff who face redundancy.

There are 30 police staff working in custody suites in Newport Central and Ystrad Mynach police stations, known as Custody Detention Officers (CDOs).

Under proposals being put forward by Gwent Police, 15 of these staff face redundancy, with front line officers brought in to replace them.

At present, CDOs work under a custody sergeant, but these plans could see officers brought in to replace staff and create a 50/50 mix between staff and officers.

A CDO, who asked the Argus not to name them, said: “Everyone is completely and utterly in shock – to bring police officers off the street to do a job already being done really well.”

Gwent Police said it is reviewing its staffing in custody units and, by reducing CDOs and bringing in police officers to work with them, it will increase flexibility.

Another CDO, who wished to remain anonymous, said all staff will have to reapply for their jobs, adding: “It’s absolutely disgusting. Gwent was one of the first forces to employs CDOs and now they’re getting rid of them.”

Gwent Police Unison branch secretary Linda Sweet said: “They’d be taking police officers off the street to do back office jobs.

At the moment, these police officers are out there protecting the public and doing a good job and now 15 of them will be brought into custody suites.”

Assistant Chief Constable Simon Prince said: “These plans will allow us to have more officers on duty in custody units when the demand is high, and more officers on the street in our communities at other times.

“While the Custody Detention Officers are being kept informed of the plans and they are being given all the guidance and support they need on achieving another position within the force, we are sorry that these plans mean uncertainty for some colleagues.”

The Argus understands those affected will find out their fate in the autumn.

 

COMMENT: Police cuts are a worry

WE KNEW cuts to the public sector would be deep and hurtful, particularly savings that have to be made within police forces.

Today we reveal how police officers could be taken off front-line duties to replace office staff who are made redundant.

As one officer tells us today: “Everyone is completely and utterly in shock - to bring police officers off the street to do a job already being done really well.”

The public already believe there are not enough bobbies on the beat.

That may not be factually correct – however that is the perception.

But when officers are taken off the streets to do backroom work, it will leave many baffled.

A union says that these police officers are out protecting the public but 15 of them will be brought in to work in custody suites.

Assistant Chief Constable Simon Prince says the plans allow them to have more officers on duty in custody units when demand is high and more officers in the street at other times.

Whoever is right, we cannot see that taking any police officer away from the frontline in order to carry out other tasks can ever be the way forward.

We can only hope that those making these decisions know that what they are doing is right and will at no point impact on public protection.