Published: 02/09/2010 09:00 - Updated: 03/09/2010 09:25

HERTFORDSHIRE Police Authority has been praised by independent inspectors as the axe continues to hang over the organisation.

 

A report judged that the authority, which is charged with holding Hertfordshire Constabulary to account, was “performing well overall” and had “strong, committed and passionate” leadership.

 

A joint inspection team from the Audit Commission and Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) awarded the authority three stars out of a possible four, rating its performance as ‘good’.

 

The report, which was published last week, says: “The authority put in place a number of projects and strengthened resources over the last five years, including establishing a strong command team, a commitment to neighbourhood policing, developing an estate for modern policing, and driving collaboration and partnership working.

 

“This has contributed to Hertfordshire being one of the best performing police forces in the country.

 

“The chief constable is appropriately held to account against objectives set in the policing plan. The authority has challenged the chief constable both on the inclusion of new objectives and on under-performance.

 

“For example, anti-social behaviour with motor vehicles is now an objective and there is now a clear requirement for the constabulary to address declining detection rates for vehicle crime.”

 

Tough targets have been set in a bid to save £350,000 in 2010-11 and a total of £1m over the next three years by reducing police overtime, but the authority did not escape all criticism.

 

The report continues: “The authority’s membership does not include any representatives from ethnic minority groups.

 

“The authority is aware that its membership is not representative of the community it serves and is looking at what can be done to improve matters.”

 

Police authority chairman Stuart Nagler said: “We are committed to providing effective policing in Hertfordshire.   In these difficult financial times, it is equally important to deliver those high-quality services in the most efficient and cost effective way possible.”

 

The authority’s future is in doubt, pending consideration of a merger between the forces of Beds and Herts.

 

The authority comprises 17 members (nine councillors and eight independent members) and is responsible for securing an efficient and effective police force as well as holding the Chief Constable to account.