The independent body that monitors the Met Police is looking at how the force could better procure its vehicles and manage its fleet.

The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) on behalf of the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC) want to ‘engage with the market’ about the way in which services to support front line policing are delivered.

It will examine customer and commercial services, which is responsible for providing access to suitable, safe vehicles and vehicle recovery, which includes removal, examination, retention and disposal.

It also provides: warehousing and logistics for day-to day operations and general storage of office equipment and consumables; linguistic services; and all catering requirements from buildings to policing operations.

Procurement services will also come under close scrutiny.

It is responsible for providing value for money and compliance with procurement rules and regulations through corporate solutions for all expenditure above £50,000 across a diverse range of products from megaphones to motorcycles, boots to boats, helicopters to horses. 

Other areas to be examined will include: training; finance services; property services; human resources; legal services; media and communication; and information technology.

The ‘engagement exercise’ is being carried out so that the MPS can ensure that support services are being provided in the most efficient and effective way and to understand more about current best practice from other organisations, other police forces and external suppliers.

The MPS will be engaging directly with organisations through a conference, questionnaires, one-to-ones and meetings. The process is expected to last until March 8, 2013.

No decisions have been made a future strategy for delivering support services until after information from this process has been analysed.

Further detail and information for organisations who may be interested in responding is detailed on the Bluelight procurement portal at www.bluelight.gov.uk.

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