Police force spend £100,000 on storytelling sessions

Published: 11:46AM GMT 08 Feb 2010

The sessions organised by Greater Manchester Police were supposed to improve policing, with the lessons learned pasted on a cartoon storyboard to form a ‘business strategy’.

News of the courses comes after GMP proposed to shed 300 police posts and a further 150 civilian jobs to cut costs.

Consultants Storytellers Ltd were hired by Chief Constable Peter Fahy to host the sessions at the Piccadilly Hotel in the city centre last May.

The firm promise to ‘help business leaders connect their people to strategy, vision, values and change through the art of storytelling’.

Ian Hanson, a Police Federation spokesman, said: “GMP is becoming the Ministry for Silly Ideas. I find it incredible that the chief constable is trying to slash hundreds of police posts in an attempt to reduce costs but seems to find the money for these kinds of activities.

“They need to ask the people of Greater Manchester whether they want officers on the beat or in a hotel telling stories.”

GMP human resources officer Julia Rodgers defended the sessions. She said: “GMP is committed to providing the ideal possible service for local people. It is essential that all staff are aware of the priorities and what is required from them to ensure we can be effective.

“The activity is the latest phase of work to tackle the issues that affect local people and ensure we can make a difference to the quality of life in Greater Manchester.”

source : www.telegraph.co.uk