I fail to see what advantage it can possibly bring ? If all they can provide is 'eyes on the street' but have no real power, what is the point?
When their reporting back to the 'real coppers' won't this risk a Chinese whispers?
How can it possibly be 'less costly'? When you outsource services one major part you lose is control, cost and labour efficiency and precision plus with additional managers many things become replicated. As for Police for Profit how is that possibly cheaper ? Plus why should our taxes go towards a profit for Companies providing one of most basic fundamental public services.
Community officers are ill thought or and plastic police so what might this make these people, rubber police as all they will do is bounce around from one manager to another before a decision might be made ? Did they come up with this idea in the pub ?
Why do some of these people think that just because it is 'change' it must be 'good' !
Considering we have had 'a citizens arrest' why cannot a 'pretend copper' not arrest someone on this basis ?
Plus if as the report suggests they collate tapes and data then how much is security going to be eroded, even further ? Don't we have far too many MoP who can already access too much personal data, and now potential crime data too !? Criminals will be delighted I should think!
This is a dangerous game to play for no benefit. Many questions a policeman who is responsible to research a case will be removed to an office and that is no good at all ! Plus how many people will be fooled into thinking they are talking to police representatives, when in fact it is a fraudulent company?