Falklands : Falkland Islands Chief Police Officer Paul Elliott makes way for new Director of Community Safety
Submitted by Falkland Islands News Network (Juanita Brock) 01.12.2009 (Article Archived on 15.12.2009)
Superintendent Paul Elliott leaves the Islands on Friday 27th November having been made redundant just two years into his original three year contract as part of the Chief Executives Review of Government.
Falkland Islands Chief Police Officer Paul Elliott makes way for new Director of Community Safety.
Superintendent Paul Elliott leaves the Islands on Friday 27th November having been made redundant just two years into his original three year contract as part of the Chief Executives Review of Government. Under the review the post of Chief Police Officer has been disestablished, and will be replaced by a Director of Community of Safety. This newly established ‘Super Head’ position will include appointment as Chief Police Officer, Officer in Charge of the Prison and Principal Immigration Officer; as well as Director level responsibility for Fire & Rescue, Customs and Immigration and the Falkland Islands Defence Force.
The newly appointed Director of Community Safety has been named as Gary Finchett, who is currently a Chief Superintendent with Cheshire Police working as Divisional Commander in Warrington. He is expected to take up post in the Falkland Islands on 6th January 2010.
Superintendent Elliott started work with the Royal Falkland Islands Police (RFIP) in September 2007 following 30 years service with Lincolnshire Police. His departure from RFIP not only marks the end of his police service in the Falklands, but is also the end of a 32 year policing career which included spells working with the Police in USA, Croatia and Romania. At this time he is uncertain as to what job he will be doing next, but at just 50 years old and with a wealth of policing experience he hopes to continue working in a civilian capacity within the police, security or emergency planning arena, either in the UK or overseas.
During his two years as Chief Officer Superintendent Elliott initiated a number of improvements in policing of the Islands. On his arrival he conducted a thorough review of RFIP which identified 52 areas for improvement. A timetable for implementation was drawn up so that all improvements would be in place by September 2010, which is the time his original contract was due to end.
Superintendent Elliott said “I am naturally disappointed that having invested so much time and personal energy into identifying areas for improvement and change, I will not be in a position to see everything completed and put into place. I will however be conducting a comprehensive hand over to Chief Superintendent Finchett in the UK during December and trust that momentum will not be lost in the implementation process as he takes over responsibility for the service”.
“I am pleased that several aspects of my review of RFIP have already been fully achieved. The most publically visible is the renovation of the old police station and completion of the new prison annex, which if it lasts as long as the original building, will perhaps provide my lasting legacy. Behind the scenes several changes have been made to professionalise police procedures and improve systems including adoption of a Quality of Service Commitment and Leadership Charter, implementation of the National Intelligence Model and the UK National Crime Recording Standards. Skills in investigation and interviewing have been improved through training in PEACE interview techniques and ABE interviewing for vulnerable victims and witnesses. Prosecution files are now completed according to UK Magistrates Guidance standards, which reduces police paperwork and standardises file submission. Improved processes have also been established in Emergency & Contingency planning and Police Standing Orders are at an advanced stage of revision”.
“I am also pleased to have improved community policing through listening to the public, seeking to identify their priorities and concerns and providing increased foot patrols and greater police involvement in schools and the wider community. As I leave community policing is set to be further enhanced through allocation of area beats to named officers and by allocating personal responsibility to named officers for specific topics, including local businesses; faith groups and voluntary organisations; children and youth organisations; licensed premises; road safety; camp and tourism.
When asked about the recent changes to the structure of the police leading to his redundancy Superintendent Elliott said “It is my belief that well established, tried and tested common sense community policing is needed on the Islands, it remains to be seen if the latest cutting edge management theories will enhance the service RFIP are currently able to provide and whether they will stand the test of time.”
“Although my time as Chief Officer has not been without incident or challenges, I am pleased that I have been able to press through and purge the force of several historic issues and move forward so that my successor will inherit a much improved, more professional and more capable police service than it was when I first arrived.
“Although our time in the Islands has sometimes been stressful, my wife Alison and I have thoroughly enjoyed our time in the Falklands and we will look back with fond memories of good friendships and happy times which far outweigh any negative experiences we have encountered. We both extend our sincere thanks and offer our best wishes to HE Governor Alan and Helen Huckle all those living, working or serving in the Islands who have been good friends and colleagues, providing support and encouragement when it was needed and helped to make our time working and living on the islands a memorable experience. We offer our very best good wishes to Gary Finchett and his wife as they come to the Islands to take over this high profile role, and having invested two years of our lives in the Royal Falkland Islands Police we also wish all members of police and support staff every success, good fortune and happiness for the future.
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