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Kent Police is ‘outstanding’
KENT Police has been rated out- standing in anational review of the country’s police forces. Kent was the only one of the 43
forces nationwide to receive the ac- colade in a report published by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabu- lary (HMIC). The report rated Britain’s police service for the first time on how le- gitimate it is at keeping people safe and reducing crime. Kent’s police and crime commis-
sioner Ann Barnes, who has cham- pioned a move from target-led policing to a culture of putting peo- ple first, said shewas delighted with the result. She said: “I can’t remember any
HMIC inspection when just one force has been singled out for a top grading like this. This is great news for Kent Police.” The commissioner removed nu- merical targets from the Police and Crime Plan in 2014. She said: “Of all the HMIC re-
views that are undertaken, this par- ticular one is the most important one to the Chief Constable and me. I’m delighted this work, under his
determined, dynamic leadership has been recognised.” Zoe Billingham, Her Majesty’s In- spector for the Eastern Region, said of Kent Police: “Staff are actively en- couraged to use their discretion to ‘do the right thing’. The widespread understanding and implementation of an ethical culture across the force is having a positive effect on the service to the public.” She also praised the force’s use of
Taser and stop and search, aswell as efforts to support Kent Police staff – particularly those with mental health issues. Mrs Barnes said: “Kent is one of
the biggest forces in the land, with very unique challenges, so it would be easy for the force to miss what is actually important – supporting and developing its workforce. I’m pleasedHMICrecognised that Kent Police has not lost sight of that.” HMIC considers a police force to
be legitimate if it has the consent of the public, and if those working in the force behave in away that is fair, ethical and within the law. The force must also generate the trust and co- operation of the public.
News Samaritans ‘here to listen’
SAMARITANS volunteers in Maidstone went to Maidstone East station to talk to travellers about the charity’s brand new ‘We Listen’ campaign. Posters in railway stations across the country contain hidden messages
where people claiming to be fine are notOKat all. Onesays “I’m alright with being single I guess. It’s not ideal for the kids, but they seem to be coping”, the real message being “I’m not coping”. The campaign aims to
show that while it’s easy to hide your feelings, when someone really listens you’re more likely to open up and start working through your problems. Maidstone branch director Maggie Jones said: “Life’s pressures can build, without you even realising. It’s all too easy to turn away, ig- nore howyou’re feeling, and put on a brave face, but you don’t have to do that with us. Samaritans volunteers make time for you and really listen to you, because simply being listened to can help you put into words what’s going on in your life. “Talk to Samaritans free from any phone, email us, text us or come to our
Volunteers put up posters for The Samaritans at Maidstone East station
branch in Grecian Street.We’ll listen and help you find away through.” Network Rail has been working with Samaritans to raise awareness of the charity’s emotional support services since 2010, along with Britain’s train operating companies and British Transport Police. Volunteers will be inviting travellers to find out more about the work they
do and encouraging commuters to spread the word about the campaign on social media, using the hashtag#WeListen. You can call Samaritans on 116 123 (you don’t even need credit and this number won’t show up on your phone bill), email
jo@samaritans.org, or visit
samaritans.org to find details of your nearest branch.
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