Appropriate formats
Police authorities are already required by statute to publish local policing summaries. In some areas, these are published at partnership level and may provide a suitable vehicle for the summary of the partnership plan, if that is what is agreed locally. In any event, partnerships may wish to consider the ten hallmarks of a good local policing summary in their own publications. These are as follows:
- Uses the format to engage.
- Includes local and relevant information.
- Provides a balanced and objective view of performance.
- Includes creative material to capture attention.
- Uses clear branding – makes it clear who it’s from and what it’s for.
- Adopts a user-friendly layout.
- Uses targeted language and avoids jargon.
- Encourages community involvement.
- Is developed in collaboration with partners where possible.
- Makes every effort to reach every household.
Partnerships should consider how they could use these for their own publications. They may also want to consider how to meet the diverse needs of their communities, for example, other languages and formats accessible to those with impaired vision.
