Could some police functions be outsourced?

Public asked for their say on idea

The public is being asked what it thinks of the idea of outsourcing , or contracting out various police functions.

The Police Powers and Procedures (Contracted Staff) (No. 2) Order 2017 would allow custody suite operations and the independent investigation of complaints against the Constabulary to be outsourced.

The Department of Home Affairs has now launched a public consultation and is encouraging people to submit their views on the idea.

It's claimed the intention is to continue to target resources where they are most needed and release officers to focus on frontline policing tasks.

The Department says that while it has no immediate plans to contract out custody suite services, the Order would provide the legal power to allow civilians to carry out appropriate functions in future, such as record keeping, cleaning cells and attending to the essential needs of detainees.

Responses can be emailed to dhaconsultation@gov.im and must be received by Tuesday 5th September.