Just as Important as the numbers are,I fear a major hurried Influx may lead to training time/standards dropping,this would cause more problems than It solves.

Exactly. Let's hope that a proper programme is developed but the idea of doing this from a standing start in three years looks highly unlikely at this time. The Forces already find hiring difficult in areas of strong employment. They have a 7% attrition rate. So that means they are already hiring 9,000 officers a year and training them. To achieve an extra 20k, taking into account those that fail or leave quickly, you effectively need to double the hiring rate.

I'm resigning In favour of Charlie Cairoli as he out performs me.

By "culture" I assume you mean turning up at peoples houses to "check their thinking", dressing up like clowns for pride parades and being too s*** scared to get out of their cars?

I suppose your answer to knife crime is more youth clubs and ending austerity? I mean, some of these kids only have an IPhone 6 right?

It's little to do with Police numbers, they either have their hands tied at the risk of upsetting "communities" or they are just not up to it. Would you walk into a dangerous situation with someone who has never even been in a pub fight?

They will never be effective driving around in cars either.

Ultimately until we accept that the blame lies with the people commiting the crimes and the families and culture that spawn them nothing will improve. Until then, it's all about massaging the figures and hiding the truth.

Finding 20,000 people that want to become Police Officers will be practically impossible to start with. When you look at the pros and cons of the job now compared to previous decades I would be amazed if they manage to get 20k in three years. Dealing with the public these days is a thoroughly unpleaseant job.

Yes

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