The Police and Crime Commissioner for Thames Valley has awarded £36,766 of exceptional funding to Thames Valley Police to support the creation of a Drugs Co-ordinator role, as part of a pilot scheme to improve the timeliness of drugs-related cases across Thames Valley.
The Drugs Co-ordinator role, which will sit within the Force’s Forensic department, will manage many aspects of a case in order to expedite them in a quicker time frame. One of the Drug Co-ordinator’s responsibilities will be to analyse drugs via spectrometry in order to complement presumptive drug testing. They will also provide an examination strategy to investigators, in order to obtain the evidence necessary.
Police and Crime Commissioner for Thames Valley, said:
“I am delighted to have been able to provide this funding for the creation of a Drugs Co-ordinator role within Thames Valley Police.
“This pilot scheme will improve the timeliness of drugs-related cases across Thames Valley. I am therefore delighted to be able to award this exceptional funding to help support this Pilot and, in turn, keep our communities safe.”
Kay Hannam, Head of Forensic Services, said:
“The Forensic Investigation Unit are excited at the prospect to pilot this new scientific approach to support the force with tackling Drug Crime in our communities.
“We are extremely grateful to the Police & Crime Commissioner for realising this opportunity.”
Funding received has been secured through the Community Safety Fund (CSF). The Police and Crime Commissioner maintains a CSF to commission services that help tackle drugs and crime, reduce re-offending and improve community safety.
