Home Secretary praises public feedback tool

Home Secretary Theresa May has praised Leicestershire Police for its “outstanding” work in creating a pioneering public feedback tool.

Called ‘Rate your Local Police’, the online system enables people to log-on to the internet and use their pc or mobile device to feedback on any interaction they’ve had with the Force based on a five star rating – similar to TripAdvisor.

There is also space for the public to provide additional comments and information.

Leicestershire Police is leading the way with this new tool and is the first in the country to develop and roll it out Force-wide. The system has been created to enhance public confidence in policing, help identify any areas for improvement and provide another way for people to get in touch.

It also allows the Force to easily respond to feedback.

Rate your Local Police has been designed specifically for leaving feedback and is not a forum for people to make formal complaints. These still have to be submitted via the website or in writing.

Home Secretary Theresa May said:

“I am delighted that the Home Office has been able to work with Leicestershire Police on the development of ‘Rate your Local Police’.

This tool is a real step forward in terms of making police forces more transparent and accountable. Feedback tools support public engagement and help drive improvements in many walks of life. Rate your Local Police gives members of the public the opportunity to do the same with their local police.

Leicestershire have done outstanding work.

I hope other forces will take inspiration from them and implement similar tools to engage the public.”

Since the launch earlier in the month, more than 40 reviews have been submitted, many commending the work of the police.

Feedback that isn’t as positive will be used to make improvements.

Leicestershire Police Chief Constable Simon Cole said:

“We are really pleased with the number of responses we’ve received from members of the public so far. As expected, we’ve had a range of reviews. Many have praised the work of the police and individual people working for us and that is great to see. Where the feedback isn’t as positive, we will be taking the comments on board and looking at how improvements can be made.

“The system was designed for the public to be able to provide open and honest feedback to us and early indications show that this is exactly what is happening. We are grateful to everyone who has taken the time to give us feedback and I’d encourage more people to do the same.”

Police and Crime Commissioner Sir Clive Loader said he was delighted with the public response to the system. He said:

“The more we can find out what the public think of the service we provide, the better it is for everyone. Many of the comments have been hugely positive and that’s great to read. It’s very early days, but the initial response seems to reflect that we are consistently providing a high quality, responsive, supportive and proportionate response to the various demands placed upon officers, and that is to everyone’s credit.

“I’m delighted the government have praised the initiative and I have little doubt that, once again, Leicestershire will prove to be the front runner in introducing something new that other forces, in time, will also take up.”

Anyone who has recently dealt with the police can rate the service they’ve received at www.leics.police.uk/rateyourlocalpolice