First it was boots, now police are told to buy their own stationery (From York Press)

First it was boots, now police are told to buy their own stationery

9:57am Sunday 14th October 2007

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POLICE officers have been told they will not be given diaries - as part of cost-cutting measures by North Yorkshire Police.

Bobbies working in some departments have been told they will have to buy their own diaries for 2008 or use electronic ones on their computers.

But some officers, including detectives with York CID, say the Outlook Express diaries will be no use - because they can't take their computers to court or meetings.

One officer said: "It's ridiculous. They only cost a couple of quid and surely every company provides diaries for its employees? The Outlook ones are all very well and good, but we aren't always in the office to use them.

"What if you're in court or at a meeting and you need to put a date in your diary? I know they're making cut backs but this just seems silly."

A North Yorkshire Police spokesman said officers who needed diaries for their "specific role" would still be provided with them.

He said: "The provision of diaries is managed on a departmental basis in conjunction with the force's Business Support Department. The organisation constantly monitors and reviews its expenditure on such items in line with prudent financial management guidelines.

"If a member of staff requires a diary for their specific role, then they will be provided with one. If there is no specific requirement, then the use of the electronic diary readily available on the internal e-mail system is more appropriate.

"A large number of staff also receive their own diary each year through their membership of the Police Federation or Unison."

The move comes after a one-off scheme to provide officers with free pairs of Magnum boots was also axed.

But a spokesman said officers would still be able to claim a tax allowance towards the cost of their boots.

More than 1,000 people have already backed our Fund Our Force campaign to urge the Government to abandon proposals which would see the North Yorkshire Police facing a £10 million funding cut.

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