SURREY Police has retained its overall ‘good’ rating for legitimacy and leadership - but has faced criticism for the way it treats its workforce by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary, Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS).

Its annual inspection looked at how the force operates in terms of treating the people it serves, ensuring its workforce acts ethically and lawfully and treating its workforce with fairness and respect.

While the report recognised Surrey Police and its workforce had a good understanding of treating people fairly and with respect – it did highlight that some areas concerning staff and officer well-being still requires improvement.

In Surrey Police’s 2015 and 2016 legitimacy reports, HMICFRS found more needed to be done to support staff well-being, as staff were reporting that they were struggling with high workloads.

But in 2017, the Inspectorate reported ‘little progress in that area has been made,’ commenting the level of service provided by the force’s occupational health unit had actually ‘declined’.

The report stated: “Senior leaders are aware the workforce is feeling stretched, but some officers and staff do not feel their well-being is viewed as a priority.”

The Inspectorate also scrutinised the force’s use of ‘stop and search’ powers, finding some officers and supervisors “still do not understand what constitutes reasonable grounds for stop and search”.

Her Majesty’ Inspector of Constabulary Zoë Billingham said: “I am pleased Surrey Police have again been judged to be good at how legitimately it keeps people safe and reduces crime.

“Surrey Police and its workforce have a good understanding of the importance of treating people fairly and with respect.

“Officers and staff understand the importance of effective communication skills and how to use coercive powers fairly and respectfully.

“The Chief Constable, his top team and leaders across the force are good role models.

“They promote an ethical culture and ensure that the workforce behaves ethically and lawfully, with a strong focus on the Code of Ethics.

“Surrey Police have made it easier for the public to make a complaint, and has publicised the complaints process in communities which might have less confidence in the police.But the force could make improvements in some areas.

“At the time of our inspection high workloads were a concern, and staff and officer well-being could be better addressed by improving access to support services, and by publicising the help that is available.

“I am confident the force recognises where improvements can be made and is taking steps to address this issue.”

Surrey Chief Constable Nick Ephgrave said in response: “Treating the public with fairness and respect – and our officers and staff behaving ethically and lawfully – is critical for us to have legitimacy and the confidence of our communities, so I’m pleased the Inspectorate have again found us to be doing this well.”

He added the force will be reviewing the areas for improvement, particularly gaining a better understanding staff concerns and wellbeing support, improving communication between leaders and staff, and ensuring there was confidence in the grievance procedure and recording of it.

Surrey Police and Crime Commissioner David Munro added: “Keeping the trust and faith of the communities they serve is absolutely crucial for police forces so I welcome the assessment by the HMICFRS.

“It is pleasing to see the effort to ensure people are treated with fairness and respect has been sustained by Surrey Police over the last year and the ‘good’ rating has been retained.

“I was particularly heartened to see HMICFRS recognise the Chief Constable and his top team as actively promoting a culture which ensures their workforce behaves ethically and lawfully.

“I have noted however they highlighted staff and officer well-being could be better addressed by improving access to support services while high workloads were a concern.

“Policing is not an easy profession and our officers and staff do a fantastic job working around the clock to keep our county safe, often in extremely challenging and stressful circumstances.

“At a time when demand on the police service is ever increasing we must do everything we possibly can to look after our workforce and ensure supporting their wellbeing is a priority.”

The ‘legitimacy’ report covers one of three strands of the annual inspections into how police forces across England and Wales operate - the others being ‘efficiency’, for which Surrey was also ranked ‘good’, and ‘effectiveness’ for which the force is yet to be graded.