FOI 157/25 Police Officer Numbers
Enquiry Reference: 157 - 25
I write in connection with regards to your Freedom of Information request, firstly please accept my apology for the delay. Below is your request and our response.
I am writing to make a request under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 regarding the police officer recruitment pledge linked to the 2024 increase in the policing precept element of council tax.
In 2024, the Cleveland Police and Crime Commissioner announced that the precept increase would be used to recruit 48 additional police officers. I would like to request the following information:
- The total police officer establishment (i.e., the number of full-time equivalent officers) as of 1st April 2024.
- 2023/24 establishment 1,513.
- The current police officer establishment as of the most recent available date.
- The 2024/25 budgeted establishment was 1,557.
- The projected establishment as of 1st April 2025, including whether the recruitment of the 48 additional officers has been fully realised or if the target has changed.
- As of the 1st of April 2025, we expect to be at 1,528 FTE Police Officers. In terms of the ‘Core’ Police Officer roles this is 6 less than the 2024/25 establishment however we have 18 planned for recruitment in April 2025.
- The number of officers actually recruited since the precept increase was implemented, with a breakdown of recruitment numbers by month.
- Since the precept was agreed in February 2024, there have been a total of 143 Police Officers recruited, split as follows:
Mar 24 – 30
Jun 24 – 18
Aug 24 – 4
Sep 24 – 33
Oct 24 – 1
Dec 24 – 19
Mar 25 – 38 (expected)
- If the full 48 additional officers have not been recruited, a detailed explanation of why.
- Information is defined in section 84 of the Act as 'information recorded in any form'. The Act therefore only extends to requests for recorded information. Explanations, clarifications, or comments on the public authority’s business is not a valid question.
- If all funds from the precept increase have not been spent on the recruitment of 48 new officers, a breakdown of where the money has been allocated instead.
- No information held; all funds have been spent.
- Any internal reports, meeting minutes, or correspondence that discuss the progress or challenges regarding this recruitment pledge.
- Information is defined in section 84 of the Act as 'information recorded in any form'. The Act therefore only extends to requests for recorded information. Explanations, clarifications or comments on the public authority’s business is not a valid question.
Please note that all statistical data supplied in relation to Freedom of Information requests is a snapshot of data held at the time the request was received by the Freedom of Information office and is subject to constant change/updates.
The Cleveland Police response to your request is unique and it should be noted that Police Forces do not use generic systems or identical procedures to capture and record data therefore responses from Cleveland Police should not be used as a comparison with any other force response you receive.
If you are not satisfied with this response or any actions taken in dealing with your request, you have the right to request an independent internal review of your case under our review procedure. The Freedom of Information Code of Practice (see below link) states that a request for internal review should be made within 20 working days of the date on this response or 40 working days if extenuating circumstances to account for the delay can be evidenced. Public authorities are not obliged to accept internal reviews after this date.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/freedom-of-information-code-of-practice
Yours sincerely
Information Rights Decision Maker