West Midlands Police

West Midlands Police
Name	West Midlands Police
Formed	1974
Preceding1	Birmingham City Police
Preceding2	Coventry City Police
Preceding3	Wolverhampton Borough Police
Preceding4	Walsall Borough Police
Preceding5	West Midlands Constabulary
Jurisdiction	West Midlands
Headquarters	Lloyd House, Birmingham
Country	England

West Midlands Police. It is the second largest police force in England and Wales after the Metropolitan Police Service, serving a population of approximately 2.9 million across the West Midlands metropolitan county. The force was established on 1 April 1974 under the Local Government Act 1972, amalgamating several predecessor constabularies. Its jurisdiction covers the major cities of Birmingham, Coventry, and Wolverhampton, along with the metropolitan boroughs of Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull, and Walsall.

History

The formation of West Midlands Police was a direct result of the Local Government Act 1972, which created the new metropolitan county. It consolidated the former Birmingham City Police, Coventry City Police, Wolverhampton Borough Police, Walsall Borough Police, and the West Midlands Constabulary. Key historical events in its operational history include policing the Handsworth riots in 1981 and 1985, and its major role during the 2011 England riots. The force was subject to a significant investigation by the Independent Police Complaints Commission following the Birmingham pub bombings in 1974, an attack claimed by the Provisional Irish Republican Army.

Organisation and structure

The force is headquartered at Lloyd House in Birmingham city centre. It is divided into several operational commands, each aligned with a local government borough, such as Birmingham West and Central. Specialist departments include the Central Motorway Police Group, a collaborative unit with Staffordshire Police and the Warwickshire Police, and a dedicated Counter Terrorism Unit. The force is overseen by the elected West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner, a role established following the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011.

Operations and policing areas

West Midlands Police operates across diverse urban environments, from the bustling Bullring shopping district to residential areas in Coventry and industrial zones in the Black Country. It manages major transportation hubs including Birmingham New Street station and Birmingham Airport. The force runs several proactive initiatives, such as the Violence Reduction Partnership, and participates in national campaigns like Operation Trident. Its Marine Unit patrols an extensive network of canals, including those linked to the Birmingham Canal Navigations.

Notable incidents and controversies

The force has been involved in several high-profile cases and investigations. It faced severe criticism for its handling of the 1985 Handsworth riots and the subsequent Scarman Report. The Operation Churchman investigation into the Board of Deputies of British Jews was later deemed flawed. More recently, it has been scrutinized for its use of stop and search powers and its involvement in the Mikey Powell case. The force was also part of the national Operation Yewtree investigation into historical child sexual abuse.

Chief officers and leadership

The chief officer is titled the Chief Constable, a role held by notable figures such as Sir Derek Capper and Sir Edward Crew. The first Chief Constable upon formation was Sir Philip Knights. Subsequent leaders have included Sir Ron Hadfield and David Thompson. The force's leadership is appointed by the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner, a position held by individuals including David Jamieson and the current commissioner, Simon Foster. The senior command team also includes several Deputy Chief Constables and Assistant Chief Constables.

Performance and public perception

The force's performance is regularly assessed by His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services. It has faced challenges in areas such as response times and crime recording accuracy, as highlighted in various PEEL inspections. Public perception has been shaped by its community engagement efforts, like the Active Citizens programme, and controversies surrounding its conduct. The force's collaboration with the University of Birmingham on research into knife crime and its work with the Home Office on pilot schemes are part of its modern reform agenda.

Category:Police forces of England Category:Organisations based in Birmingham, West Midlands Category:1974 establishments in England