North East UK Police Helicopter might be closed

[bubbler]

Sounds like the wheels are coming off at NEASU, heard that Cleveland are going it alone, calling Northumbria`s bluff. Northumbria bean counters are in a panic. Also heard that one of the plastic observer CSO types has already been moved on, the civvie observer will be on his way very soon and that most of the experienced Cop observers have already jumped ship or are looking for other posts away from NEASU.

Unit and Senior Management should stand up and answer the critics. Its a pity that whilst they are counting the savings in short term monetary terms they havent realised that they have killed off a succesful and professional unit. Long term this decision is going to prove to be one of the most short sighted and costly made.

[Max Shutterspeed]

Sounds like the wheels are coming off at NEASU, heard that Cleveland are going it alone,

Here's the other thread:

http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?t=328060

MS

[bubbler]

Been away for a while, whats the latest with the shennanigans at NEASU then, have they all split already, are they staying together, has the civvie been pushed yet, are they getting new aircraft as the Home Office seemed to imply or are things just dragging on?

[bubbler]

Guess from the lack of replies the NEASU situation has died down and everything is just hunky dory. Or have management spoke and no one is posting.

[Max Shutterspeed]

Dunno.

The DTV based one has been busy, though. Was even out grafting in the howling gales on Sunday

The sound track generally goes:

car sirens > silence > rotor slap > fenestron whine > intimidating hovering sounds and more whining noise > more sirens > back to silence....

MS

[timex]

Nothing to discuss, NEASU will split in under a year. Already been mentioned in the various local rags.

[bubbler]

"Bubbler we only have one PCSO on line at the moment and like all the future guys he has a contract, the Police will no doubt get the shafting as they were going to be moved on anyway.. Lousy decision."


Heard from a NEASU cop that the original civvie has been given the push despite having a contract and perfectly able to make the grade. Just the establishment wanted him out. Also the 2 other pet civvies will end up going the same way in a few months then the bosses can say "We tried civillianisation but it didnt work". Also heard Northumbria wont be able to afford 24/7 ops when they go it alone. A sad state of affairs.

[bubbler]

So what is happening at NEASU these days? Has everyone kissed and made up or is the consortium split still happening?

[Max Shutterspeed]

Last rumour I heard was that they were still planning to go solo. Been nothing in the local press.

MS

[PANews]

If they are to buy their own aircraft for use from Teesside they will need finance. The most public display of this will be reports of the police authority meetings - that will be local newspapers - but meanwhile they will need to seek additional finance from the Home Office.

September is the time for such bids for finance to go into the Home Office [now] and no announcement on the success, or otherwise, of any bid will be made public until January 2009.

Bear in mind that there are at least five other operations seeking HO finance to replace their aircraft at the moment.