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Our Ethics, Transparency and Standards Strategy for 2021-2024 is now available on this page. The strategy sets out how we ensure an open and transparent approach to the delivery of policing in Wiltshire and Swindon.
As a service we receive, on average, 380,000 calls to our 999 and 101 service every year. Often they are from a member of the public calling on our services at a time of vulnerability and need. In addition to calls for service, our officers and staff interact with the community in a multitude of circumstances and different settings.
You, the public rightly expect the highest professional standards and ethics from members of the police service in each and every one of these interactions. We are entrusted with significant statutory powers of arrest, stop and search and use of force.
The exercise of these powers enables us to protect the public, tackle crime and help create safer communities. In a democratic society, it is vitally important that every use of any given power is done so in a proportionate and justified way, which achieves a lawful policing purpose and infringes on the rights of citizens in the least intrusive way.
The strategy sets out how we internally undertake scrutiny of the use and exercise of powers, and externally as we involve the public to ensure our scrutiny remains objective and transparent.
At the heart of every public interaction is public confidence in policing. It is essential that we ensure the exercise of our statutory powers is done in a way that enhances trust and confidence. Through the ongoing review of our approach and publication of our findings, we commit to continually ensure our powers are used correctly and where there is an opportunity to learn and enhance our practice, we maximise such opportunities.
The strategy also sets out how we ensure an open and transparent approach in areas such as gifts and hospitality, ethics and business interests - all of which go to the heart of public confidence in policing. As well as an explanation into our Misconduct Hearing procedures. Finally, it explains how the public may make a complaint about our service and access more information about how policing is delivered in the county.
I hope this strategy gives you confidence in the approach we take to scrutiny and transparency. We work tirelessly to keep the public safe. Our work is often complex and difficult, with officers and staff required to make judgements in challenging circumstances.
To this end we rely on the public to help us improve the way we deliver our services, to enhance trust and support for policing in the county.
Dr Paul Mills QPM
Deputy Chief Constable