Aimed at further improving efficiency in police forces’ spending, the ACPO strategy sets out principles and targets for procurement that supports a collaborative approach between forces.
Dr David Horne – the ACPO lead on procurement and director of resources for Sussex Police – explained: “The police service has a strong record on harvesting efficiencies and increasing productivity, driven by the demands of a tight financial settlement and an expanding mission. Building on that record, procurement is an area in which ACPO is looking to further improve efficiencies. This new strategy sets out targets around six clear principles: increasing further police procurement capacity and capability, securing further supplier competition and price leverage, shaping requirements and specifications, developing techniques and practices to reduce costs and risks, reducing procurement overheads and the costs of acquisition and promoting sustainability while at the same time supporting diversity in procurement.”
The Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) is an independent, professionally led strategic body. In the public interest and, in equal and active partnership with Government and the Association of Police Authorities, ACPO leads and co-ordinates the direction and development of the police service in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. In times of national need ACPO, on behalf of all chief officers, co-ordinates the strategic policing response. ACPO’s 341 members are police officers of assistant chief constable rank (Commanders in the Metropolitan Police and City of London Police) and above, and senior police staff managers, in the 44 forces in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and other forces such as the British Transport Police and the States of Jersey Police.
“The service must make better use of what it has at its disposal now, and then look at what can be done in partnership with others. ACPO is committed to a collaborative approach supported by chief constables. Procurement teams will be active leaders in delivering this strategy nationally, regionally and locally. Benefits to the service can be made through procuring at a national and regional level through common specifications that address specific requirements of the police service.”
An example of the benefits that can be seen is the supply and fit of police vehicle tyres. A framework is due to be awarded in June, with approximately 125,000 tyres purchased with a spend of around GB pound 5.5 million per annum. Comparisons show significant savings compared with current arrangements.
Delivery of the strategy will be monitored by ACPO with active support from the National Police Improvement Agency. Monitoring of individual force’s procurement performance will continue to be undertaken by police authorities and through Audit Commission inspections.
