Issue - meetings

Received a report outlining measures to modernise the Borough’s Parks Constabulary with a view to increasing public awareness and safety.

Agreed, in order to raise the profile of the service and assist in achieving the Council’s Community Priority of “Making Barking and Dagenham Cleaner, Greener and Safer”:

1. To change the name of the service to the ‘Parks Police’ and issue blue lights for use on Parks Police vehicles;

2. To transfer the two night constables onto day shifts and contract out the night shift duties;

3. Upon the retirement of the current Corporate Security Manager that this role is merged with that of the Parks Constabulary & Security Manager to form the new post of Corporate Security & Parks Police Manager; and

4. That batons will not be issued to Park Constables at this time, in light of the advice from the Community and Open Spaces Policing Associations (COSPA) and the Metropolitan Police.