Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Dafydd Llywelyn recently visited Dyfed-Powys Police’s Force Control Centre (FCC) to see the substantial investments and improvements made as part of his commitment to enhancing public safety. These developments follow last year’s precept increase, with further improvements underway following this year’s uplift.

Since January 2024, the FCC has welcomed 48 new starters, as part of a major recruitment drive funded through PCC Llywelyn’s Precept Uplift. The additional staff, hired over five consecutive intakes, has helped ensure a more resilient and responsive FCC, which plays a critical role in coordinating the force’s response to incidents across Dyfed-Powys.

With the increase in personnel, the FCC has undergone substantial upgrades, including the installation of new workstations, desks, chairs, and IT equipment to accommodate the growing team. A key element of the improvement plan is the launch of the new Omnicompetent Training Programme, which aims to create multi-skilled operators who are trained in all FCC roles, including Contact Handling, Digital Desk Operations, CCTV Operations, Radio Dispatch Support, and Radio Dispatching. By merging these previously separate roles, the force will be better positioned to flexibly manage incoming demand and incidents more effectively. The training programme is expected to take around 18 months to fully implement.

In addition to staff increases and training, the FCC now boasts a fully equipped second control room, a direct response to the findings of the Manchester Arena Inquiry.

The additional control room ensures that in the event of a major incident, the force can run operations seamlessly from within the FCC while maintaining normal business in the primary control room. This additional space, equipped for 12 personnel, provides a collaborative environment for police, ambulance, fire, and other emergency service partners to work together during critical incidents.

Another upcoming enhancement to the FCC is the introduction of a state-of-the-art Telephony and Radio platform, expected to go live later this year. This new system, with intelligent call-routing options, will further improve the force’s ability to handle calls for service efficiently.

PCC Llywelyn expressed his pride in the progress made so far and reiterated his commitment to delivering on the promises made to the public.

He said “The improvements we’ve made to the Force Control Centre are a key part of my pledge to ensure we are investing in public safety and modernising our approach. The additional resources, advanced technology, and new ways of working will enhance our ability to serve the public and respond to emergencies more effectively.”

For more information on the recent improvements and ongoing projects within Dyfed-Powys Police, please contact the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner. Dyfed-Powys Police & Crime Commissioner (dyfedpowys-pcc.org.uk)