Apex - it can be done!

The Daily Express reports that Essex police have had a cost-cutting drive called Operation Apex.

The result has been that they have been able to employ 239 extra constables, - 189 basic constables, plus others at more senior grades. Most are already on duty. In each of the 5 areas or territories into which the force is divided an extra 30 or more constables are deployed.

How was it done, and done in one year?

The big money probably came from re-negotiating contracts.

Many small economies were employed, however, including:
-buying petrol at cheaper petrol stations
-consuming less tea and biscuits
-using fewer printers
-buying cheaper pens
-careful purchase and use of sundries - even paper clips!
-a specialist squad was banned from buying expensive kit, including Oakley sunglasses

They haven't finished yet. Over five years that they hope to achieve an extra 600 officers, taking their total force to 4,000. So without increasing expenditure, police staff would have increased by almost 20%.

The ratepayers of Essex must be delighted with the project. Ratepayers elsewhere will be asking, "If it can happen there, why not here as well?"

If it can happen in police budgets, why not in council budgets, why not in Whitehall and in quangos?