Charm lessons for ‘rude’ police

Wednesday 6th June 2007, 12:00PM BST.

Police in West Mercia are receiving charm school-type training in a bid to reduce the number of complaints about rude officers.

The force, which covers Shropshire, receives more complaints from the public than any other similar sized force in the country, official figures reveal.

There were 265 complaints about alleged rudeness in the 10 months from last April – a jump of 46 per cent on the previous year – and steps are being taken to improve officers’ social skills. The high point for grumbles was last year’s long, hot summer.

A report to West Mercia Police Authority says 1,024 complaints were received between April 2006 and this January – with 26 per cent alleging incivility, impoliteness and intolerance.

“In comparison with most similar forces, West Mercia records the highest number of complaints, although the differential is less extreme on complaints per 1,000 staff,” the report says.

Top three moans were lack of action, lack of consideration and lack of contact.

Officers are to be given help to organise themselves better with message pads, diaries in which to keep victims’ phone numbers and advice on using voicemail.

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