Avon and Somerset Police
[8] Later in the 19th century the Local Government Act 1888 required that all boroughs with populations of less than 10,000 amalgamate their police force with the adjoining county constabulary.[5] In 2014, the force announced that in order to reduce its budget, it would close 12 local police stations as part of a planned 36% reduction of the number of buildings it occupied.[11] In 2006, the Home Office announced plans to reduce the number of police forces in the UK from 42 to 24 to try to save money.The plans were publicly criticised by all the forces involved, stating that it would lead to poor quality service and a reduction in local policing.[12] In February 2010, plans for a merger of the five South West police forces (Avon and Somerset; Wiltshire; Dorset; Gloucestershire; and Devon and Cornwall) were re-evaluated by the Home Office in a bid to reduce spending.In November 2012, the police and crime commissioner (PCC) Sue Mountstevens announced that she would invite applications for the role rather than extending his contract.[13] In January 2013, Port took the PCC to court to seek an injunction to block the interviews of candidates for the post of chief constable, but his case did not succeed.There are nine cadet units – Bath, Bristol Central, Hartcliffe, Patchway, Portishead, Bridgwater, Southmead, Speedwell, and Weston-super-mare.[36] From 2013 to 2019, specialist teams – roads, firearms and police dogs – operated in collaboration with the Gloucestershire and Wiltshire forces.[37] Male police officers and Special Constables (up to and including the rank of Sergeant_ on foot patrol wear the traditional custodian helmet, in the rose style, with a Brunswick star that reads 'Avon and Somerset Constabulary'.Avon and Somerset no longer use the traditional NATO police jumper, having favoured the black jacket with 'Police' written on the chest and back.Some officers also routinely carry the TASER Stun device designed to electrically shock a subject making them fall to the ground and to be subdued.[citation needed] During late 2009 Avon and Somerset Police introduced mobile data terminals and Personal Digital Assistants (PDA) to some of its operational vehicles and front line officers.Avon and Somerset Police uses the modern blue and yellow retro-reflective square Battenburg markings on all of its operational vehicles.The report expresses concern over management of offenders and over increasing demands due to people with mental health problems.Andy Marsh, then chief constable said, "Our continuing ability to safeguard communities, protect the vulnerable, and manage major incidents of this kind is being severely tested.[40] For the year of 2009/10, His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMICFRS) rated Avon and Somerset as 'Fair' in all categories, including 'Local Crime', 'Protection from harm' and 'Satisfaction and Confidence'.Ralph Welsman, one of those discriminated against, sued the force for their breach of employment laws and he received compensation in an out of court settlement.[45] In August 2015, officers from the Avon and Somerset force used a Taser on a disabled man, who had the mental age of a seven year old.The police watchdog said that the actions of the officer who failed to gather the CCTV evidence "fell below the standard expected", but concluded there was no wrongdoing.[47] In January 2017, the force referred itself to the Independent Police Complaints Commission following an incident when officers used a Taser on a black community activist who was trying to enter his own home.[57] From January 2024, Channel 4 broadcast a documentary series To Catch a Copper, showing the work of the force's professional standards department.In one case, a constable is fired after publishing revenge porn; in another, an officer is acquitted after having sex on duty with an intoxicated woman.[62][63] Some members of the Avon and Somerset Police Federation said they felt "utterly betrayed" and "unsupported" by this decision and the resultant program.
Somerset and Bath ConstabularyGloucestershire ConstabularyBristol ConstabularyPolice forceEnglandEngland & WalesPolice Act 1996His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue ServicesIndependent Office for Police ConductPortisheadspecial constablesPolice community support officersPolice and Crime CommissionerClare MoodySarah CrewChief constableStationsterritorial police forceunitary authorityBristolBath and North East SomersetNorth SomersetSomersetSouth GloucestershireSouth West Englandpolice officersKing John's Hunting Lodge, Axbridgepolice areaMunicipal Corporations Act 1835Bath City PoliceBridgwater Borough PoliceWells City PoliceGlastonbury Borough PoliceCounty Police Act 1839County and Borough Police Act 1856Somerset ConstabularyLocal Government Act 1888Police Act 1964Home Secretary the powerLocal Government Act 1972police stationsSue MountstevensKeynshamNailseaRadstockWeston-super-MareHome OfficeDevon and Cornwall PoliceWiltshire PoliceDorset PoliceNick GarganIndependent Police Complaints CommissionDeputy Chief ConstableAndy MarshHampshire ConstabularyRob BeckleyList of British police officers killed in the line of dutyPolice Roll of Honour TrustPolice Memorial Trustcar chaseAvon Fire and Rescue ServiceAvon and Somerset Police and Crime Commissionermagistratepolice authorityindependentMark ShelfordClaire MoodyBasic Command UnitNeighbourhood Policing TeamsTraffic unitsCriminal Investigation DepartmentsDog UnitsSenior ManagementCriminal Investigation DepartmentMajor Incident PlanningMajor Investigation TeamArmed Response GroupCounter Terrorism GroupEmergency Communications CentreForce Contact Centre (SNEN)IntelligenceCorporate communicationsAssistant chief constablecadetsBridgwaterSouthmeadNational Police Air ServiceAlmondsbury M4/M5 InterchangemotorcyclesAlmondsburyExpress Park, Bridgwatermounted policeBadminton Horse TrialsGlastonbury FestivalBristol City Football ClubWest CountryGloucestershireWiltshirecustodian helmetBrunswick starpeaked capTauntonmobile data terminalsPersonal Digital AssistantsFord FocusBattenburg markingsjam sandwichpolice support volunteersanti-social behaviourHis Majesty's Inspectorate of ConstabularySex Discrimination ActRace Relations ActPolice FederationCommission for Racial EqualityassaultbatteryInquestPolice, Crime, Sentencing and Courts BillCoronavirusChannel 4To Catch a Copperracial profilingrevenge pornList of law enforcement agencies in the United Kingdom, Crown Dependencies and British Overseas TerritoriesLaw enforcement in the United KingdomPort of Bristol Police