350 new jobs despite cuts
8:30am Sunday 19th February 2012 in News
POLICE are to recruit 150 new officers and 200 new staff —despite facing massive government-led budget cuts.
Greater Manchester Police Authority yesterday approved the force’s latest budget, which includes plans to recruit more officers and staff.
Authority members also agreed to freeze the police’s portion of council tax.
The new police staff will work alongside officers in the neighbourhood policing units and it is intended to give officers more time on the streets.
Chiefs will recruit 100 staff this year and 100 next year, while 50 officers will be recruited into the force each year for the next three years.
The Bolton News understands that officers are likely to be recruited from special constables and PCSOs. There are more than 70 special constables in Bolton—more than any other part of Greater Manchester.
The police budget for the next financial year is £560 million.
GMPA chairman Cllr Paul Murphy said: “The budget set will not only allow us to continue to drive savings, but it also protects local policing.”
This budget is the last to be set by GMPA before they are replaced next year by an elected police and crime commissioner.
