West Mercia Police restructures, reducing policing areas to two. Civilian jobs may be cut; new roles created.
Some civilian jobs might go away, and police officers could fill those positions instead, potentially giving them arrest power. About 150 staff positions may be cut, with over 40 of these jobs already open and not to be filled again. Around 50 new jobs will be created.
The police chief called job cuts hard, but said they should not affect service. He wants his team to feel strong and hopes the public feels safe, as he aims to grow West Mercia Police.
They want an affordable model, having looked at structure, not just cuts. The goal is to have consistent practices and less need to fill in.
They are shifting from five areas to two, each with a chief superintendent in charge. This will help them fill roles easier and move officers to help, making boundaries less of a problem.
The police budget has support from John Campion and the panel. Council tax will rise by five percent, resulting in Band D homes paying £14 more each year.