HOPE 2008 worked with key partner organisations to establish links with police forces across the UK through the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) and as part of the Neighbourhood Policing Programme and established Principles for best practice in partnership. · 1, Engagement and initiatives with neighbourhood police teams and officers will be overseen by local Church leaders working in partnership. · · 2, Churches will work collaboratively to an agreed plan of action and appoint a liaison person responsible for communications with the police neighbourhood team or officer. · · 3, Church and police partnership activity will be focused on working together in practical ways to benefit the local community and assist current police neighbourhood priorities. · · 4, Any engagement that involves reducing offending should be co-ordinated with the police and consider the need for their expert advice. · · 5, Churches should take a pragmatic approach and acknowledge that police officers will have many conflicting priorities. The value of working together is in shared priorities and outcomes.
Churches must recognise there will be occasions when the neighbourhood police team may not be able to support their issues as fully as they might wish.
