Performance and Measurement

Force Assessment - Dorset

Each assessment made about the force in the seven key performance areas is shown here. A summary of force performance is also provided, and additionally, users can view the force’s assessments in comparison to its peers. Finally, basic factual information about the force is shown.

For further information please see our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's).

Dorset is most similar to:

View assessments compared to peers.

Performance Areas	Delivery	Direction
Reducing Crime	Good	Improved
Investigating Crime	Good	Improved
Promoting Safety	Fair	Improved
Providing Assistance	Good	Stable
Citizen Focus	Good	Deteriorated
Resource Use	Fair	Improved
Local Policing	Good	Improved

Summary of HMIC baseline assessments.

Dorset Constabulary serves a mainly rural population of 700,000, with over 4 million tourists visiting the county each year. Following a period of relative stability with an established and experienced command team, a new Chief Constable was appointed in 2005.

The force has achieved marked improvement in volume crime investigation and in narrowing the justice gap through targeted operations. There has been a clear focus on performance improvement which has been led by the command team. The force has also made significant efforts to improve call handling, with a key project being the introduction of a single control centre and a police enquiry centre with new technology and business processes.

However, for 2005/06 the force continues to face the ongoing challenge of delivering a consistently high quality call-handling service.

For further information see the full baseline assessment.

Police Authority Chair: Michael G Taylor

Authority Website: www.dorsetpolice.org/policeauthority

Chief Constable: Martin Baker

Force Website: www.dorset.police.uk

Staff Numbers:

Police Officers: 1475
Police Staff: 881
Community Support Officers: 47
Other Staff: 0
Special Constables: 230

Budget 2005/06: £101.7m

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