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West Yorkshire Approved as Lead Force for National Police Air Service (30 Mar 2012)
West Yorkshire Police Authority today approved a proposal subject to certain conditions, for the Force to host the new National Police Air Service (NPAS), serving the whole of England and Wales.
The agreement, at today’s Police Authority meeting, brings NPAS plans a step closer and would mean all police air support operations being co-ordinated by West Yorkshire.
NPAS is set to become operational later this year, replacing the individual arrangements which currently exist in forces across England and Wales. It is expected that a co-ordinated service will improve operational effectiveness and generate savings for all participating forces through procurement, innovation and rationalisation of the current operating model.
West Yorkshire will become responsible for air operational assets belonging to forces and authorities across England and Wales, including employment of staff.
The Chair of West Yorkshire Police Authority, Councillor Mark Burns-Williamson OBE commented on the decision, saying “The information presented to us today convinced members of the merits of agreeing to West Yorkshire Police being put forward as the lead force for the National Police Air Service.
“This is clearly an ambitious and complex project with big implications for us going forward, but we recognised that West Yorkshire Police is well placed to deliver this service on behalf of all forces in England and Wales ahead of the closure of the National Policing Improvement Agency (NPIA) later this year.
“We have been reassured that there will be no adverse impact upon the force or council tax payers in West Yorkshire. The funding, risks and liabilities for NPAS will be covered by a National Collaboration Agreement, which all participating forces and authorities will sign up to.
“Our approval today is subject to full costings being obtained and an assurance from the Chief Constable that all foreseeable risks are properly identified and mitigated, in discussions with the Home Office and others, so that there should be no adverse impact on West Yorkshire.”