South Holland’s acting community policing inspector hopes to be handed the role permanently.
Jo Reeves has just completed three months in the post, having stepped up from the role of sergeant at Spalding.
She was appointed after previous incumbent Jim Tyner was made acting chief inspector for East Lindsey. Last week he was handed the role permanently, confirming that he would not be returning to South Holland.
Insp Reeves’ temporary role has been extended until November, but news of an appointment is expected long before then.
She said: “I’ve enjoyed getting involved with issues which affect the community and it would be a shame for me not to be able to see through some of the projects.
“It was quite a big step up from the sergeant role into this and it was a challenge getting used to it but we’ve worked well as a team. It helped that I knew all of them anyway.”
One of the biggest challenges has been presented by the expanse of South Holland.
Insp Reeves said: “I’m responsible for the area but not responsible for the staff, so having the appropriate resources to deal with something in, say, Donington while also being required in Sutton St James has been a challenge.”
Her use of social media has come in for criticism from a public which had become used to Insp Tyner using it on an almost daily basis to inform of incidents and results.
But Insp Reeves, who has only tweeted on her own work account three times since she began the role in March, has no plans to alter her approach.
She said: “For me, social media is a brilliant tool. But it’s not about what I’m doing, so to that extent if I’m putting anything out, I’ll put it out through the @SpaldingPolice account.
“It’s not that I’m not interested, it’s just that I haven’t got the time to monitor it and give replies so I’d rather not set myself up for something that’s going to fail.”
Insp Reeves is encouraging residents to take the opportunity to talk to PCs and PCSOs at events such as neighbourhood panel meetings, police surgeries and mobile police unit visits.
She said: “If people are genuinely interested, then they should come to the panel meetings. They happen once every three months and people will be able to influence our priorities. That is where they are set. If something is bothering people then we want to know about it.”
HAVE YOUR SAY AT FORTHCOMING EVENTS
Monday, July 6, 6.15pm: Spalding Rural North Community Panel meeting – Ruby Hunt Centre, Church Road, Donington
Wednesday, July 8, 6.30pm: Holbeach Town and Rural Neighbourhood Panel meeting – The Pop In, Church Street, Holbeach 6.30pm
Wednesday, July 8, 10am: Police surgery – Gosberton Church Hall, Church Street, Gosberton
Wednesday, July 29, 6pm: Spalding East Estates Community Panel meeting – Community Centre, 204 Pennygate, Spalding
A recruitment event for volunteers needed for the Lincolnshire Police Special Constabulary is being held at Spalding Police Station on Sunday (July 5, 11am).
There will be a presentation from Specials regarding the role and officers will be available to answer any questions.
