UK Police helicopter budget cuts
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I would imagine that some of the pilotage contracts are still running so this may take some interim contracts until all are aligned. The direct employed route may well be the cheapest and most robust given the size of the organisation that NPAS will be. I would be surprised if they went for a selection of providers, and for one provider to source all the manpower to achieve the robust service that NPAS would require (leave, sickness, etc guaranteed cover), I think would be a tall order.
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I might be wrong but are the contracts not usually due in april with the main companies. Then if the pilots are contracted say from july with the company and the company no longer has a police contract. If they keep the july pilot in a job no breech.
But I guess its never that simple
But I guess its never that simple
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NPIA current contracts
The current NPIA pilotage contracts are all listed to run out on 1st April 2011 with no extensions listed.
Usually the company who have won the contract are told about 3 months early to give them time to have the staff in place for the April start date.
The current pilotage is listed on the following NPIA webpage.
NPIA: Contract Register
I have heard Joep may be looking to the sand pit for his further contracts now the brits know whats been going on in his empire.
Usually the company who have won the contract are told about 3 months early to give them time to have the staff in place for the April start date.
The current pilotage is listed on the following NPIA webpage.
NPIA: Contract Register
I have heard Joep may be looking to the sand pit for his further contracts now the brits know whats been going on in his empire.
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Reduction in Police pilot jobs...
If any UK police pilots are getting twitchy there is a post for someone with 412 time going out in the UAE I believe. Lexington Security Group need a line pilot for a short term, well paid contract. Lots of sun which would make a nice change. Drop them a cv via the website.
Cmon Guys!
Cmon Guys, UK Police Aviation is worth saving! We were the best, and despite this lot being determined to throw it all away, we can save it!
I have a feeling that unlike Custers last stand, the cavalry might yet come riding over the hill! So - fix bayonets, form a square, face outward, and don't give an inch.
We can beat them, and the best way is to stand together. DO NOT give up and move away. You are the finest, you know your patch, and above everything else you know your job,- your knowledge and experience has much value. stick with it!
Tigerfish
( Ol Grumpy, & Uncle to King Canute - and my feet are not even damp yet! )
I have a feeling that unlike Custers last stand, the cavalry might yet come riding over the hill! So - fix bayonets, form a square, face outward, and don't give an inch.
We can beat them, and the best way is to stand together. DO NOT give up and move away. You are the finest, you know your patch, and above everything else you know your job,- your knowledge and experience has much value. stick with it!
Tigerfish
( Ol Grumpy, & Uncle to King Canute - and my feet are not even damp yet! )
Last edited by tigerfish; 30th Jan 2011 at 23:02.
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This thread seems to have gone a bit quiet. Are all the problems now sorted out, everyone on side and ready for the 1st April when it all starts? I assume that most pilots are employed on a 3 month notice period, have any been given the word yet on any closures that will be immediate?
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DFD
I don't think that any of this is sorted out completely yet and doubt very much that any closures/redundancies will be immediate. As far as those who are moving, I suppose that is the least painful part of this process, so may be rather faster to achieve.
Who knows, I expect that the chaps concerned are bit like mushrooms.
I don't think that any of this is sorted out completely yet and doubt very much that any closures/redundancies will be immediate. As far as those who are moving, I suppose that is the least painful part of this process, so may be rather faster to achieve.
Who knows, I expect that the chaps concerned are bit like mushrooms.
With ACPO - the main promotors of this plan - currently under fire from all directions on various funding issues I suspect that they are currently distracted from further comment on NPAS. Meanwhile their members arrange for the closure of a few more police stations, employ volunteers rather than professionals and produce books on how to ride a bicycle.... much more mundane diversionary tactics....
NPAS remains quietly plugging on but sitting under threatening clouds and pretty much [officially] silent for three months now. Fortunately with SAR-H exploding brightly on the horizon the pressure is off for a few days!
NPAS remains quietly plugging on but sitting under threatening clouds and pretty much [officially] silent for three months now. Fortunately with SAR-H exploding brightly on the horizon the pressure is off for a few days!
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As I understand it, 1st April 2011 is the starting date, so out of the blocks they go so to speak. Surely there is a plan of sorts, and to instigate it [on 1st April] units have to be told what the aims are, situation general outline, execution, order of march, etc, etc, at least those who are at the forefront of the new order.
I know 'things' will happen in the meantime [like delete Hampshire ASU] but the date given in the October 2010 Press Release is not this April.
The government has expressed a commitment to establishing NPAS by April 2012. An ACPO led project team has been supported by the NPIA to develop an implementation plan for this national service.
The government has expressed a commitment to establishing NPAS by April 2012. An ACPO led project team has been supported by the NPIA to develop an implementation plan for this national service.
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I think I have just been slapped down!
The operative words are I think ESTABLISHING NPAS BY. My understanding is that it will START in April 2011. Or is the beginning and completion going to be on the same day in April 2012?
The government has expressed a commitment to establishing NPAS by April 2012.
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Sussex are just in the process of recruiting a line pilot. No mention in the information of any limit to the term of employment. Wasn't Sussex one of the units to disappear according to the plan?
Not a slap down.
But the thought that this aura of nothingness will be ready to go in two months is daft. I seriously doubt that any of the new site plans could be brought to fruition in the time given [October 2010 to April 2012] simply on the basis of asking the landowners whether they can move into the new locations and then drawing up the contracts.
Just look over the fence to see how long it took to set up SAR-H [regardless of what happened to it].
There are instances where activities move quickly..... the move of Chiltern north from Luton airport to RAF Henlow seemed to take next to no time .... but to expect the whole list that was given out last October to simply fall into place is going to be an expectation too far; especially with some ruffled feathers in the police authority camp.
It will be interesting to see where the Sussex pilot job goes. It may depend a little on how long the existing contracts for the base, pilotage and maintenance are set for. There may be a couple of years left on them and the 'new' pilot can always move to Dunsfold and fly the [EC135] helicopter there [if that is what happens].
I wonder whether they have asked the permission of Top Gear to move into Dunsfold yet?
But the thought that this aura of nothingness will be ready to go in two months is daft. I seriously doubt that any of the new site plans could be brought to fruition in the time given [October 2010 to April 2012] simply on the basis of asking the landowners whether they can move into the new locations and then drawing up the contracts.
Just look over the fence to see how long it took to set up SAR-H [regardless of what happened to it].
There are instances where activities move quickly..... the move of Chiltern north from Luton airport to RAF Henlow seemed to take next to no time .... but to expect the whole list that was given out last October to simply fall into place is going to be an expectation too far; especially with some ruffled feathers in the police authority camp.
It will be interesting to see where the Sussex pilot job goes. It may depend a little on how long the existing contracts for the base, pilotage and maintenance are set for. There may be a couple of years left on them and the 'new' pilot can always move to Dunsfold and fly the [EC135] helicopter there [if that is what happens].
I wonder whether they have asked the permission of Top Gear to move into Dunsfold yet?
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Generally if things go quiet when the police about to make a change it means one of two things. They have not got a clue how to do it, but will do something a boss thinks is right. or they will get some idea of how to and how not to do it. Then go for the not to do it option. Simples.
Changes gives the illusion of progress.
Changes gives the illusion of progress.
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Contracts supporting police air support
My understanding is that contracts over about £100,000 require EU tendering procedures.... now before the panics... to simplify this, the HOME OFFICE/PITO/NPIA ran Framework contracts for maintenance, pilotage, insurance and even helicopter and fixed wing acquisition. These Frameworks are in varying states of life at the moment but are all in the late stages of their contracted periods - 3 or 4 years - and need to be at worst extended or at best re-bid as the commercial premiss on which the tenders were run are now a tad old ( and don't reflect a few key issues - ECUK, the recession.... etc) . Its February now...and they could expire in March. I think the Frameworks are run by NPIA now and one would have expected to see these all being sorted out as Air Support is going to need these services in the next few years whatever happens in a 'National' context.
In short... if there is no valid Framework for the particular field of activity needed and the contract is for over about £100,000. Police Force contracts officers are going to have to start EU tendering procedures PDQ if they intend to let contracts with no risk of legal issues.
Please don't blame me for this system .... its EU and has been working for a good few years ...
In short... if there is no valid Framework for the particular field of activity needed and the contract is for over about £100,000. Police Force contracts officers are going to have to start EU tendering procedures PDQ if they intend to let contracts with no risk of legal issues.
Please don't blame me for this system .... its EU and has been working for a good few years ...
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Just following up on Dunsfold as an example, there are probably a series of hurdles to a police operation setting up there (or in lots of places). I noticed recently that the HEMS base there just was granted planning permission to extend to night time ops, at some point in the future. The media information was quite explicit about the basis upon which this was granted:
There is also the question of whether the landowner wants a noisy 24 hr police hele operation. Many will not see the benefit, especially if surrounded by middle class Surrey residents in a County where the UDP says no new aviation bases.
Chiltern had to find a new base when Luton airport kicked them out with very little notice. There are no special arrangements even for the cops.
If you multiply that amount of difficulty and effort by the number of base changes the NPAS "Plan" requires, they will need to employ planners, architects and aviation specialists to move them all forward. Not really a recipe for saving money, even if the moves prove possible. And that is before you actually start building new buildings and pads and so on.
They have no idea what they are taking on....
There is also the question of whether the landowner wants a noisy 24 hr police hele operation. Many will not see the benefit, especially if surrounded by middle class Surrey residents in a County where the UDP says no new aviation bases.
Chiltern had to find a new base when Luton airport kicked them out with very little notice. There are no special arrangements even for the cops.
If you multiply that amount of difficulty and effort by the number of base changes the NPAS "Plan" requires, they will need to employ planners, architects and aviation specialists to move them all forward. Not really a recipe for saving money, even if the moves prove possible. And that is before you actually start building new buildings and pads and so on.
They have no idea what they are taking on....
Norfolk Police to lose force helicopter in spending cut
Norfolk Chief Constable Phil Gormley said the helicopter service would not be compromised
Police helicopters to be shared
County move for police helicopter
Norfolk Police is to lose its own dedicated helicopter at the end of March, saving £750,000 a year.
It wants to share Suffolk Police's aircraft based at Wattisham Airfield instead of leasing its own from Sterling Aviation at Norwich Airport.
The move is part of £25m cuts agreed by the Norfolk Police Authority.
Norfolk Police will buy in 220 hours of flying time from Suffolk's helicopter, 60 hours fewer than its contract this year.
Suffolk Police Authority has yet to agree the plan.
Norfolk's Chief Constable Phil Gormley said: "We are collaborating, sharing, buying time from Suffolk's helicopter.
'Value for money'
"Theirs is a state-of-the-art machine and ours was a bit time expired.
"We'll actually get good value for money and a better operational capability over the next 12 months."
All county police helicopters will be disbanded in 14 months time to be replaced by a National Police Air Service.
Currently there are 33 aircraft at 30 different bases. These all belong to individual forces.
The National Police Air Service will have 23 aircraft at 20 bases.
This will save £15m from the current total of £66m.
Norfolk Chief Constable Phil Gormley said the helicopter service would not be compromised
Police helicopters to be shared
County move for police helicopter
Norfolk Police is to lose its own dedicated helicopter at the end of March, saving £750,000 a year.
It wants to share Suffolk Police's aircraft based at Wattisham Airfield instead of leasing its own from Sterling Aviation at Norwich Airport.
The move is part of £25m cuts agreed by the Norfolk Police Authority.
Norfolk Police will buy in 220 hours of flying time from Suffolk's helicopter, 60 hours fewer than its contract this year.
Suffolk Police Authority has yet to agree the plan.
Norfolk's Chief Constable Phil Gormley said: "We are collaborating, sharing, buying time from Suffolk's helicopter.
'Value for money'
"Theirs is a state-of-the-art machine and ours was a bit time expired.
"We'll actually get good value for money and a better operational capability over the next 12 months."
All county police helicopters will be disbanded in 14 months time to be replaced by a National Police Air Service.
Currently there are 33 aircraft at 30 different bases. These all belong to individual forces.
The National Police Air Service will have 23 aircraft at 20 bases.
This will save £15m from the current total of £66m.