Upbeat, November 2012 - Essex Police

Feature 13
In Essex, Transport Services is currently managing the
installation of more than 200 mobile data terminals
(MDTs) into our vehicle fleet.
Engineering service manager Trevor Roper says:
“Ideally MDTs will be installed as new vehicles are
introduced but many will be retrospectively installed.
“And we’ll need the patience and support of
colleagues as vehicles are called into the workshops
over the next couple of months for them to be fitted.”
Ensuring installations are effective, safe and legally
compliant has been a real challenge.
John explains: “Cars were not designed to take this
equipment and there can be no compromise on officer
safety.”
Another major challenge for the team was the
Blueprint for policing Essex, which resulted in
significant changes to fleet requirements.
The Blueprint introduced borderless policing,
changing how we respond to emergency calls. In
turn, that has altered the demands on our fleet.
“The new Blueprint represents some significant
challenges for Transport Services – both in terms of
the types of vehicles and the additional pressures
they are under, requiring us to review our servicing
regimes on key vehicles,” says John.
“And, with changes to operational deployment
“All our staff have been absolutely outstanding and have risen to the occasion”
Head of Transport John Gorton
practices, we have introduced full Battenberg
livery on the new-model Response Ford Focus
and upgraded the light bars to deal with fast road
requirements.
“We have also redistributed the fleet to ensure these
higher-specification vehicles are prioritised to central
Response. This matches the Kent approach and also
enhances officer safety.”
Collaboration has resulted in a new, leaner
Transport Services structure with John being
supported by delivery managers Sandra Zagger and
Rosanne Grandison (job share) in Essex and Tony
Petts in Kent.
“However, our focus and dedication to supporting
the front line is unchanged” says John.
The team is working closely with Reform in Essex
and the Kent Policing Model (KPM), continuing to
review fleet composition and consolidate policies
and working practices.
And it is driving further fleet efficiencies through
effective use of vehicles.
Sandra explains: “Improving how they are being
used and utilised presents a real opportunity.
“Reducing overall fleet mileage is key, as is ensuring
available vehicles are used to their full potential,
making them available to whoever needs them. “
Essex officers and staff are required to provide
on-line mileage returns and confirm that weekly
vehicle safety checks have been completed.
As well as helping to maintain the safety of those
who drive our vehicles, other benefits include:
• reduced corporate risks around vehicle use – a
safer fleet
• details of vehicle use – are the vehicles available
to those who need them?
• more accurate predictive service scheduling –
less downtime, more availability
• improved fleet-replacement programming
• reduced administration – less paperwork.
John says: “It’s been a challenging 16 months but
all our staff have been absolutely outstanding and
have risen to the occasion. Many have undertaken
new challenges and responsibilities and shown real
leadership at every level.
“We have a clear way ahead now and a really good
opportunity for the future.
“Ultimately, our aim is to be the collaboration force
by which others will be measured.”
Visit the Transport
Services extranet site for
more information and to
leave feedback:
http://extranet.ecis.police.
uk/support-services/depts/
transport.html
FACtFILE
• The combined Essex and Kent transport fleet has more than 2,200 vehicles
• A total of 33 million miles are travelled every year by the two forces
• Essex and Kent each have 24 workshop technicians who help to keep the fleet
on the road
• The Essex Police transport garages carried out 14,000 vehicle jobs over the past
12 months and used more than 3,000 tyres
• More than 1,293,000 litres of fuel have been used by Essex Police so far this
year
• Last year, Essex Police spent £2.8million on fuel
UPBEAT November 2012