A letter to the Sheffield Star.
Steve Kent is right to criticise tick-box targets (Star, 12th October). Targets undermine professional judgement. As a result, the police are losing good officers who feel undervalued. Community policing, the vital link through to neighbourhoods, has been gutted. Like the drain of experienced police officers, there has been a loss of experienced probation officers who could support ex-offenders out of re-offending. Our prisons are full to bursting as a result. Not to mention the under-funding of our legal system and the cutting of legal aid. All of this puts justice at risk.
There’s lots of evidence about what we need to do to keep our civil society civil. It isn’t just about supporting the police. Better mental health support, tackling homelessness, regulating drug use, building up youth services, and giving community groups money to do good things would all help – meaning police officers aren’t just left picking up the pieces.
However, it is still vital to support the police and probation services with investment in staff and training. Proper professional and public oversight, not box-ticking, would improve standards. That would help meet the only target that matters — growing the confidence, for both police and public, in our system of law and order.
Yours Sincerely
Jason Leman
Ecclesall Green Party