WIREDGOV

Police forces across England and Wales have wasted over half a billion pounds in the last four years by failing to “civilianise” thousands of back office posts – instead filling them with fully-trained police officers.

A new report by leading think tank Policy Exchange shows roles in departments like forensics and control rooms are occupied by “sworn officers” instead of much-cheaper civilian staff. Some police forces have hundreds of sworn officers in back office roles. This includes over 600 officers in the Metropolitan Police control rooms and 44 police officers in the forensic department of Essex police – despite half of all forces having no officers in this area.