View source for West Midlands Police

{{Short description|British territorial police force}}
{{primary sources|date=June 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2019}}
{{Use British English|date=January 2019}}
{{Infobox law enforcement agency
|agencyname      = West Midlands Police
|nativename      =
|nativenamea     =
|nativenamer     =
|commonname      =
|abbreviation    = WMP
|fictional       =
|patch           =
|patchcaption    =
|logo            = West Midlands Police logo.svg
|logocaption     = Logo
|badge           = 
|badgecaption    = 
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|image_size      = 100
|motto           = 
|mottotranslated =
|mission         =
|formed          = {{Start date and age|1974|04|01|df=y}}
|preceding1      = [[Birmingham City Police]]
|preceding2      = [[West Midlands Constabulary]]
|preceding3      = Parts of [[Staffordshire County and Stoke-on-Trent Constabulary]], [[Warwickshire and Coventry Constabulary]] and [[West Mercia Constabulary]]
|dissolved       =
|superseding     =
|employees       = 
|volunteers      = 
|budget          = £655.6{{nbsp}}million (2021/22)<ref name=parkesdec20>{{cite web|url=https://www.expressandstar.com/news/crime/2020/12/17/west-midlands-police-in-line-to-receive-extra-36-million-but-chief-warns-settlement-isnt-enough/|title=West Midlands Police in line to receive extra £36 million but chief warns settlement isn't enough|work=[[Express & Star]]|first=Thomas|last=Parkes|date=17 December 2020}}</ref>
|legalpersonality = Police force
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|national        =
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|international   =
|divtype         = country
|divname         = [[United Kingdom]]
|divdab          =
|subdivtype      = Police area
|subdivname      = [[West Midlands (county)|West Midlands]]
|subdivdab       =
|map             = England Police Forces (West Midlands).svg
|mapcaption      = Jurisdictional area shown within England
|sizearea        = {{convert|348|sqmi}}<ref name = hmicfrsoverview />
|sizepopulation  = 2.93{{nbsp}}million<ref name = hmicfrsoverview />
|legaljuris      = England & Wales
|governingbody   = 
|governingbodyscnd =
|constitution1   = [[Police Act 1996]]
|police          = Yes
|local           = Yes
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|oversighttype   =
|oversightbody   = {{plainlist|
* [[His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services]]
* [[Independent Office for Police Conduct]]
}}
|headquarters    = [[Birmingham]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.west-midlands.police.uk/maps/index.asp?map=LH |title=Maps |publisher=West Midlands Police |url-status=dead |access-date=17 December 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130417084745/http://www.west-midlands.police.uk/maps/index.asp?map=LH |archive-date=17 April 2013}}</ref><br />{{coord|52|29|01|N|1|53|50|W|type:landmark_region:GB-BIR|display=inline,title}}
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|sworntype       = Constable
|sworn           = {{plainlist|
*6,846 police officers<ref name=stats2020 />
*219 [[special constable]]s<ref name=stats2020 />
}}
|unsworntype     = [[Police community support officer|PCSO]]
|unsworn         = 484<ref name=stats2020 />
|multinational   =
|electeetype     = [[West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner|Police and Crime Commissioner]]
|minister1name   = [[Simon Foster]]
|minister1pfo    =
|chief1name      = Craig Guildford
|chief1position  = [[Chief Constable]]
|parentagency    = [[Home Office]]
|child1agency    = 
|unittype        = Local Policing Area’s
|unitname        = 8
|officetype      =
|officename      =
|provideragency  =
|uniformedas     =
|stationtype     =
|stations        = 52<ref name="facilities">Total number of police stations listed under each LPU, does not include facilities buildings such as the helicopter base, Fleet Services garages etc.</ref>
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|website         = {{Official URL}}
|footnotes       =
|reference       =
}}

'''West Midlands Police''' is the [[territorial police force]] responsible for policing the [[metropolitan county]] of [[West Midlands (county)|West Midlands]] in the U.K..

The force covers an area of {{convert|348|sqmi}} with 2.93{{nbsp}}million inhabitants,<ref name = hmicfrsoverview /> which includes the cities of [[Birmingham]], [[Coventry]], [[Wolverhampton]] and also the [[Black Country]]. In 2020, there were 6,846 officers, 484 [[police community support officer]]s (PCSO), and 219 volunteer [[special constables]].<ref name=stats2020 />

The force is led by [[Chief Constable]] Craig Guildford. The force area is divided into ten [[#Local Policing Units|Local Policing Areas]] (LPAs), each being served by four core policing teams – [[#Response|Response]], [[#Neighbourhood teams|Neighbourhood]], [[#Investigation teams|CID]] and [[#Priority Crime Teams | Priority Crime (PCT)]] – with the support of a number of specialist crime teams. These specialist teams include [[#Major Crime Unit|MCU]], [[#Roads Policing Department|traffic]] and a [[#Firearms|firearms unit]]. {{Citation needed|date=July 2025}}

West Midlands Police was a partner, alongside [[Staffordshire Police]], in the [[Central Motorway Police Group]] which was recently disbanded and the officers returned to their respective forces. The force is party to a number of other resource sharing agreements including the [[National Police Air Service]]. {{Citation needed|date=July 2025}}

==History==
{{More citations needed section|date=July 2025}}

===Regional policing in the West Midlands prior to 1974===
[[File:Historical image of Sedgley police station.jpg|thumb|Historical image of Sedgley police station]]
Prior to the formation of West Midlands Police as it is known today, the area now covered by the force was served by a total of six smaller constabularies. These constabularies were as follows:
*[[Birmingham City Police]] 1839–1974: Established in 1839 following an outbreak of [[Chartism|Chartist]] rioting that the Metropolitan Police had to help quell, officers from Birmingham City Police first took to the streets on 20 November of that year.<ref name="WMP history">{{cite web |url=http://www.west-midlands.police.uk/about-us/history.asp |title=History of the Force |publisher=West Midlands Police |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120919175443/http://www.west-midlands.police.uk/about-us/history.asp |archive-date=19 September 2012 |access-date=12 February 2017}}</ref> Initially with a strength of 260 officers paid at a rate of 17 [[shilling]]s a week,<ref name="WMP history" /> the constabulary expanded to keep pace with the growth of the city with the final areas to be added before the force's amalgamation in West Midlands Police being the [[Hollywood, Worcestershire|Hollywood]] area.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.westmidlandspolicemuseum.co.uk/birminghamcitypolice.htm |title=Birmingham City Police |publisher=West Midlands Police Museum |access-date=15 December 2012}}</ref> 
*[[Coventry Police]] 1836–1974: Formed with the Municipal Corporations Act in 1836, Coventry Police was initially only twenty officers with the support of a single sergeant and one inspector.<ref name="WMP history" /> The force reached a strength of 137 officers by 1914 and continued to grow until in 1969 it was merged with the Warwickshire and Coventry Constabulary, part of which it remained until the formation of West Midlands Police. {{Citation needed|date=July 2025}}
*[[Dudley Borough Police]] 1920–1966: Formerly part of the Worcestershire Constabulary, [[Dudley]] gained its own police force on 1 April 1920 following a review by His Majesty's Inspector that had suggested previous policing arrangements were unsatisfactory.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.westmidlandspolicemuseum.co.uk/dudleyboroughpolice.htm |title=Dudley Borough Police |publisher=West Midlands Police Museum |access-date=15 December 2012}}</ref> Dudley Borough Police remained independent until the [[Royal Commission]] in 1960 {{Citation needed|date=July 2025}} which resulted in its inclusion as part of the newly formed West Midlands Constabulary.
*[[Walsall Borough Police]] 1832–1966: Moving away from a 'watch' system, Walsall Borough Police were formed on 6 July 1832 with an initial strength of only one superintendent and three constables.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.westmidlandspolicemuseum.co.uk/walsallboroughpolice.htm |title=Walsall Borough Police |publisher=West Midlands Police Museum |access-date=15 December 2012}}</ref> As with the other regional forces, Walsall Borough Police expanded with the area's population and in 1852 appointed its first two detectives. The force took on its first female recruits in 1918 and in the 1960s became one of the first forces to issues its officers with personal radios. As with Dudley's police force, Walsall Borough Police became part of the West Midlands Constabulary following the Royal Commission. 
*[[West Midlands Constabulary]] 1966–1974: Lasting only eight years, West Midlands Constabulary was a newly formed force encompassing a number of smaller borough forces including Dudley Borough Police, Walsall Borough Police, Wolverhampton Borough Police and parts of Staffordshire and Worcestershire Constabularies.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.westmidlandspolicemuseum.co.uk/wmconstabulary.htm |title=West Midlands Constabulary |publisher=West Midlands Police Museum |access-date=15 December 2012}}</ref> The creation of the West Midlands Constabulary was the consequence of 1960's Royal Commission into policing.
*[[Wolverhampton Borough Police]] 1837–1966: The formation of Wolverhampton Borough Police was approved on 3 August 1837 under the condition that the strength of the force not exceed sixteen men.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.westmidlandspolicemuseum.co.uk/wolverhamptonboroughpolice.htm |title=Wolverhampton Borough Police |publisher=West Midlands Police Museum |access-date=15 December 2012}}</ref> The Police Act 1839 saw Staffordshire County Police taking over policing in Wolverhampton with Wolverhampton Borough Police regaining responsibility for policing the town in 1848. At the turn of the 20th century the force was 109 strong, reaching a highpoint of around 300 before the force became part of the short lived West Midlands Constabulary in 1966.

===Establishment of West Midlands Police===
[[File:West Midlands Police motorbikes - 1970s CROP.jpg|thumb|West Midlands Police motorbikes in the 1970s]]
West Midlands Police was formed on 1 April 1974, owing to the provisions of the [[Local Government Act 1972]] which created the new West Midlands metropolitan county. It was formed by merging the [[Birmingham City Police]], the earlier [[West Midlands Constabulary]], and parts of [[Staffordshire County and Stoke-on-Trent Constabulary]], [[Warwickshire and Coventry Constabulary]] and [[West Mercia Constabulary]].<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lV75WQRIfxYC|first=Timothy|last=Brain|author-link=Timothy Brain|title=A History of Policing in England and Wales from 1974: A Turbulent Journey|publisher=Oxford University Press|year=2010|page=7|isbn=978-0-19-921866-0 }}</ref> The first Chief Constable appointed to the new force was Sir [[Derrick Capper]], the last Chief Constable of Birmingham Police.

===Controversies and allegations of corruption===
Between 1974 and 1989, the force operated the [[West Midlands Serious Crime Squad]]. It was disbanded after allegations of endemic misconduct, leading to a series of unsafe convictions. These included allegations that officers had falsified confessions in witness statements, denied suspects access to solicitors and used torture such as "plastic bagging" to partially suffocate suspects in order to extract confessions. They were alleged to have abused payments to informers. A series of around 40 prosecutions failed in the late 1980s as defendants showed that evidence had or may have been tampered with. [[West Yorkshire Police]] led an investigation which led to a small number of internal disciplinary proceedings, but did not recommend any prosecutions for lack of evidence. However, over [[List of failed and overturned convictions involving the West Midlands Serious Crime Squad|60 convictions]] secured from their investigations have now been quashed, including those of the [[Birmingham Six]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Kirby |first1=Terry |title=Murder conviction quashed |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/murder-conviction-quashed-1409853.html |website=Independent |access-date=14 July 2018 |date=28 January 1994}}; {{cite web|first1=David|last1= Graves|title=Bridgewater Four convictions quashed|website=Daily Telegraph|date=31 July 1997|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/htmlContent.jhtml?html=%2Farchive%2F1997%2F07%2F31%2Fnbri31.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021019064235/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/htmlContent.jhtml?html=/archive/1997/07/31/nbri31.html|url-status=dead|archive-date= 19 October 2002}}; {{cite web |last1=Mitchell |last2=Keith |title=Irvine, R v [2002] EWCA Crim 29 |url=http://www.bailii.org/cgi-bin/format.cgi?doc=/ew/cases/EWCA/Crim/2002/29.html&query=(Twitchell) |website=Bailii |date=14 January 2002|publisher=England and Wales Court of Appeal (Criminal Division) Decisions}}; {{cite web |last1=Rose |title=R. v. Derek Treadaway [1996] EWCA Crim 1457 |url=http://netk.net.au/UK/UK126.asp |website=Networked Knowledge |date=18 November 1996|publisher=England and Wales Court of Appeal (Criminal Division) Decisions}}; {{cite web |last1=Rose |last2=Jowitt |last3=Hooper |title=R. v. Keith Twitchell [2000] 1 Cr.App.R. 373 |url=http://netk.net.au/UK/Twitchell1.asp |date=26 October 1999|website=Networked Knowledge|publisher=England and Wales Court of Appeal (Criminal Division) Decisions}}; {{cite web |last1=Pitchford |last2=Dingemans |last3=William Davis |title=Foran v R [2014] EWCA Crim 2047 |url=http://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWCA/Crim/2014/2047.htm |website=Bailii |publisher=England and Wales Court of Appeal (Criminal Division) Decisions |date=17 October 2014}}; {{cite web |last1=Kirby |first1=Terry |title=Seven detectives to face disciplinary charges: After an inquiry costing millions, the action against West Midlands Serious Crime Squad officers has attracted criticism |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/seven-detectives-to-face-disciplinary-charges-after-an-inquiry-costing-millions-the-action-against-1478566.html |website=Independent |access-date=15 July 2018 |date=15 January 1993}}</ref>

West Midlands Police had two serious firearms incidents, in 1980 and 1985. In 1980, David Pagett held his pregnant girlfriend as hostage while resisting arrest by the police. Officers returned fire, and shot her.<ref>{{cite web |title=R v Pagett |url=http://www.vanuatu.usp.ac.fj/Courses/la205_criminal_law_and_procedure_1/cases/R_v_Pagett.html |website=usp.ac.fj Archive |access-date=22 July 2018 |date=1983}}; {{cite web |last1=Birmingham Live |title=Tragedy of accidental shooting |url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/local-news/tragedy-of-accidental-shooting-155799 |website=Birmingham Live |date=9 June 2011}}</ref> Police had initially tried to claim that Pagett has shot her, but it became clear that it was police bullets that had caused her death. In 1985, John Shorthouse was arrested by West Midlands police for questioning about armed robberies in South Wales. His house was then searched. His five-year-old son, John, was shot by police searching under the child's bed. An internal inquiry was held, and as a result, use of firearms was restricted to a specialised and trained unit.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Plimmer |first1=John |title=The Lost Paragons: The story of the notorious West Midlands Serious Crime Squad |date=2017 |isbn=978-1520692593 |pages=88–90 |publisher=Amazon Digital Services LLC - KDP Print US |type=ebook}}</ref>
[[File:Day 147 - West Midlands Police - Miner's strikes - 1984 (14495625275).jpg|thumb|268x268px|West Midlands Police Officers during the [[1984–1985 United Kingdom miners' strike|Miners Strike]], 1984.]]
Allegations of bribery and corruption were made in 1994 by ''[[World in Action]]'', an investigative current affairs TV programme. The convicted criminal David Harris alleged that West Midlands police officers had demanded payments of more than £200,000 to keep criminals including himself away from prosecutions. Other allegations from police officers focused on officers attempting to persuade others to accept bribes. The CID was the focus of an investigation by [[Leicestershire Police]] at the request of the Police Complaints Authority.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Mills |first1=Heather |title=Criminals allege they paid police to stay free |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/criminals-allege-they-paid-police-to-stay-free-1448281.html |website=Independent |access-date=11 November 2018 |date=12 September 1994}}</ref>

===2000s and onwards===
Under proposals announced by the then [[Home Secretary]], [[Charles Clarke]], on 6 February 2006, West Midlands Police would have merged with [[Staffordshire Police]], [[West Mercia Constabulary]] and [[Warwickshire Constabulary]] to form a single strategic force for the [[West Midlands (region)|West Midlands]] region.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/4685952.stm|title=Police mergers outlined by Clarke|work=BBC News|date=6 February 2006|access-date=4 April 2011}}</ref>
This, along with a number of other mergers which would have cut the number of forces in England and Wales from 43 to 24, were abandoned in July 2006 after widespread opposition from police and the public.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/5334230.stm|work=BBC News|title=Axed police mergers cost millions|date=11 September 2006|access-date=4 April 2011}}</ref>

Because of [[prison overcrowding]] in October 2006, up to 44 [[prison cell]]s at [[Steelhouse Lane police station]] in Birmingham were made available to house inmates as part of [[Operation Safeguard (United Kingdom)|Operation Safeguard]] and in accordance with an agreement between West Midlands Police and [[HM Prison Service]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/local-news/police-cells-to-ease-prison-crisis-26937|title=Police cells to ease prison crisis|work=[[Birmingham Mail]]|date=14 October 2006|access-date=4 September 2021}}</ref>

In October 2008, the Chief Constable Sir [[Paul Scott-Lee]] announced he would not be renewing his contract in May 2009, after seven years in the post.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/7700665.stm|title=West Mids police chief to leave|work=BBC News|date=30 October 2008|access-date=4 April 2011}}</ref> His replacement was [[Chris Sims (police officer)|Chris Sims]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.business-live.co.uk/economic-development/new-west-midlands-police-chief-3948889|title=New West Midlands Police Chief named as Chris Sims|date=12 March 2009|access-date=4 September 2021|work=BusinessLive}}</ref>

The force attracted controversy in 2010 when Project Champion, a £3{{nbsp}}million scheme to install a network of CCTV cameras in the predominantly Muslim areas of [[Washwood Heath]] and [[Sparkbrook]], came under fire from local residents and [[civil rights]] organisations.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2010/jun/17/birmingham-stops-spy-cameras-project |title=Birmingham stops camera surveillance in Muslim areas |newspaper=The Guardian |access-date=10 February 2012 |location=London |first=Paul |last=Lewis |date=17 June 2010}}</ref> A total of 218 cameras had been planned for installation but the project was abandoned following concerns over their legality and objections from residents and local councillors that they had not been consulted by the force.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2010/sep/30/police-surveillance-muslims-no-regard-law |title=Police surveillance of Muslims set up with 'no regard for law' |newspaper=The Guardian |access-date=10 February 2012 |location=London |first=Paul |last=Lewis |date=30 September 2010}}</ref>

Between April and September 2010, WMP budgets were cut by £3.4{{nbsp}}million as part of a programme to reduce spending by £50M over four years.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.expressandstar.com/news/2010/09/24/police-chiefs-warning-of-job-losses/|title=Police chief's warning of job losses|date=24 September 2010|access-date=10 September 2021|work=[[Express & Star]]}}</ref> In response to the 2010 [[Comprehensive Spending Review]], Chief Constable Sims said WMP would need to reduce spending by up to £123{{nbsp}}million over the same period.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/birmingham/hi/people_and_places/newsid_9107000/9107306.stm|title=Spending Review: Concerns over possible impact on police|date=19 October 2010|publisher=[[BBC News]]}}</ref>

In 2010, the force implemented regulation A19, requiring officers with 30 or more years service to retire, in response to government funding cuts.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.west-midlands.police.uk/np/walsall/news/newsitem.asp?id=1958 |title=Police authority statement - Implementation of regulation A19 |publisher=West Midlands Police |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130505155015/http://www.west-midlands.police.uk/np/walsall/news/newsitem.asp?id=1958 |archive-date=5 May 2013 |access-date=12 February 2017}}</ref> The regulation, used by 15 forces to make emergency savings, led to 591 WMP officers being forced to retire.<ref name=bbcmarch10>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-31659006|title=A19 police retirement: 1,086 officers seek compensation|date=10 March 2015|access-date=12 September 2021|publisher=[[BBC News]]|first=Alex|last=Homer}}</ref> Some of these officers later took WMP to an [[employment tribunal]], alleging [[age discrimination]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-21170697|title=Police officers sue forces over forced retirement|date=23 January 2013|access-date=12 September 2021|publisher=[[BBC News]]}}</ref> In 2014 the tribunal found the regulation to be unlawful.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.business-live.co.uk/economic-development/west-midlands-police-a19-retirement-6677124|title=West Midlands Police A19 retirement programme ruled unlawful|date=5 February 2014|access-date=12 September 2021|work=BusinessLive|first=Tony|last=Larner}}</ref> In 2015, 498 former WMP officers were seeking compensation.<ref name=bbcmarch10/> The ruling was later overturned by the [[Employment Appeal Tribunal]], whose decision was upheld in the [[Court of Appeal (England and Wales)|Court of Appeal]] in 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.personneltoday.com/hr/a19-police-retirements-not-age-discrimination-court-of-appeal/|title=A19 police retirements not age discrimination – Court of Appeal|date=2 February 2017|access-date=12 September 2021|work=Personnel Today|first=Rob|last=Moss}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.policeoracle.com/news/police_finance/2017/Feb/01/a19-appeal-dismissed-by-court_94022.html|title=A19 appeal dismissed by court|date=1 February 2017|access-date=12 September 2021|work=Police Oracle|first=Ian|last=Weinfass}}</ref>

Plans to [[privatise]] parts of the force were halted by Bob Jones, the force's first [[Police and Crime Commissioner]], upon taking office in 2012.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.govopps.co.uk/pcc-plan-to-scrap-west-midlands-police-privatisation-plan-welcomed/ |title=PCC plan to scrap West Midlands Police privatisation plan welcomed |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190423055320/http://www.govopps.co.uk/pcc-plan-to-scrap-west-midlands-police-privatisation-plan-welcomed/|archive-date=April 23, 2019|date=26 November 2012|work=Government Opportunities}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dudleynews.co.uk/news/10058997.new-west-midlands-police-and-crime-commissioner-vows-to-stop-privatisation/|title=New West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner vows to stop privatisation|date=22 November 2012|access-date=12 September 2021|work=[[Dudley News]]}}</ref>

Chief Constable Chris Sims was reappointed to a second three-year term in 2013,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-25212419|title=West Midlands Police chief constable Chris Sims reappointed|date=4 December 2013|access-date=10 October 2021|publisher=[[BBC]]}}</ref> then stepped down at the beginning of 2016.<ref name=mccarthyjune15/> He was succeeded by [[Dave Thompson (police officer)|Dave Thompson]], who had previously been Deputy Chief Constable.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/david-thompson-appointed-new-west-10277818|title=David Thompson appointed new West Midlands Police Chief Constable|date=16 October 2015|access-date=10 October 2021|work=[[Birmingham Mail]]|first=Darren|last=Campbell}}</ref>

In March 2021, Oliver Banfield, a [[Probation (workplace)|probationary]] officer with West Midlands Police, was convicted of assault by beating after using techniques taught in police training to attack a woman while off-duty.<ref name=murray19mar>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/mar/19/west-midlands-police-officer-attacked-woman-pc-oliver-banfield|title=Anger as West Midlands police officer who attacked woman in street is not jailed|date=19 March 2021|accessdate=18 June 2021|work=[[The Guardian]]|first=Jessica|last=Murray}}</ref> Banfield was sentenced to a 14-week curfew and ordered to pay £500 compensation to his victim.<ref name=murray19mar/> Former [[Leader of the Opposition (United Kingdom)|Leader of the Opposition]] [[Harriet Harman]] described the fact Banfield did not receive a [[custodial sentence]] as “proof ... that [the] system fails women and protects men”.<ref name=murray19mar/> After the conviction, the [[Crown Prosecution Service]] apologised for initially declining to charge Banfield.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.channel4.com/news/cps-apologises-for-not-initially-charging-police-officer-who-attacked-woman|title=CPS apologises for not initially charging police officer who attacked woman|date=26 March 2021|accessdate=18 June 2021|work=[[Channel 4 News]]|first=Minnie|last=Stephenson}}</ref> In a May 2021 hearing, Banfield was found guilty of [[gross misconduct]] and banned from policing for life.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-coventry-warwickshire-57160083|title=Oliver Banfield: West Midlands ex-PC banned from policing|date=18 May 2021|publisher=[[BBC News]]}}</ref>

A 2021 investigation by ''[[Newsnight]]'' and ''[[The Law Society Gazette]]'' found that alleged [[hate crimes]] in which the victim was a police officer were significantly more likely to result in a successful prosecution across a number of force areas including the West Midlands. The investigation found that in the year ending March 2020, crimes against police officers and staff constituted 7 percent of [[hate incident]]s recorded by West Midlands Police, but resulted in 43 percent of hate crimes convictions.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-56546490|title=Hate crimes on police 'more likely to be charged'|date=27 March 2021|access-date=12 December 2021|publisher=[[BBC News]]|first1=Melanie|last1=Newman|first2=Richard|last2=Watson}}</ref> In March 2022, a WMP constable resigned after having been found to have fabricated the death of a partner in order to receive bereavement leave and other benefits; Chief Constable Thompson said the officer would have been dismissed for gross misconduct had he not resigned.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2022/aug/11/west-midlands-police-officer-harry-sarkar-made-up-fake-girlfriends-death-to-get-days-off|title='Odious' police officer made up fake girlfriend's death to get days off|date=11 August 2022|access-date=13 August 2022|work=[[The Guardian]]|first=Miranda|last=Bryant}}</ref>

In November 2023, [[His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary]] placed West Midlands police under "special measures", and the force's monitoring level was enhanced, as it was "not effectively addressing the inspectorate's concerns". The inspectors reported that the force was not carrying out investigations effectively or managing the public's risk from known sex offenders. The chief constable and [[West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner]] Simon Foster said they completely disagreed with the decision.<ref name=bbc-20231124>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-67518400?param=bir |title=West Midlands Police: Force in special measures over sex offender failings |last=Pearce |first=Vanessa |work=BBC News |date=24 November 2023 |access-date=20 March 2024}}</ref>

==Leadership and performance==
{{As of|2018}}, West Midlands Police was smaller than at any previous time in its history, having lost nearly 2,300 officers since 2010. Government funding for West Midlands Police fell by £145M since 2010. In 2018, [[Chief Constable]] Dave Thompson said that falling numbers of police officers due to funding cuts, and a "wider spread of crime", prevented the police doing everything the public want or expect of them.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-44941173|title=West Midlands Police chief constable says force offers 'poor service'|publisher=[[BBC]]|date=28 July 2018|first=Sima|last=Kotecha|access-date=26 June 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/jul/28/west-midlands-police-chief-says-public-not-getting-service-they-expect|title=West Midlands police chief says public not getting service they expect|work=[[The Guardian]]|date=28 July 2018|accessdate=26 June 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-41998712|title=West Midlands Police force 'smallest in its history'|publisher=[[BBC]]|date=15 November 2017|access-date=26 June 2021}}</ref>

===Leadership===
[[File:Lloyd House - WMP HQ.jpg|thumb|upright=0.75|West Midlands Police HQ - [[Lloyd House, Birmingham|Lloyd House]]]]

The current chief constable is Craig Guildford,<ref name = cc /> and the deputy chief constable is Scott Green.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.west-midlands.police.uk/about-us/17403/scott-green|title=Scott Green|publisher=West Midlands Police|access-date=12 August 2023}}</ref>

==== Chief constables ====

* Sir [[Derrick Capper]] (1974–1975)<ref name=history >{{cite web|url=http://history.west-midlands.police.uk/|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20181011034900/http://history.west-midlands.police.uk/|title=History of policing in the West Midlands...|publisher=West Midlands Police|archive-date=11 October 2018}}</ref>
* [[Philip Knights, Baron Knights|Philip Knights]] (1975–1985)<ref name=history/>
* Sir [[Geoffrey Dear]] (1985–1990)<ref name=history/>
* Sir [[Ron Hadfield]] (1990–1996)<ref name="E+S">{{cite web|url=https://www.expressandstar.com/news/2013/02/02/tributes-to-former-chief-constable-sir-ronald-hadfield/|title=Tributes to former Chief Constable Sir Ronald Hadfield|date=1 February 2013|work=[[Express and Star]]|access-date=3 February 2013}}</ref>
* Sir [[Edward Crewe]] (1996–2002)<ref name="history" />
* Sir [[Paul Scott-Lee]] (2002–2009)<ref name=history/>
* [[Chris Sims (police officer)|Chris Sims]] (1 June 2009 {{ndash}} January 2016)<ref name=mccarthyjune15>{{Cite journal| title = Chris Sims to leave West Midlands Police |journal= [[Birmingham Mail]]| access-date = 20 July 2016| date = 17 June 2015| url = http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/police-chief-constable-chris-sims-9474518 |first=Nick|last=McCarthy}}</ref>
* Sir [[Dave Thompson (police officer)| Dave Thompson]] (January 2016 {{ndash}} December 2022)<ref name = cc21 >{{cite web|url=https://www.west-midlands.police.uk/about-us/executive-team/chief-constable|archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20211018085836/http://www.west-midlands.police.uk/about-us/executive-team/chief-constable | archive-date = 18 October 2021| url-status = dead | title=Chief Constable|access-date=30 December 2022|publisher=West Midlands Police}}</ref>
* [[Craig Guildford]] (December 2022 {{ndash}} present)<ref name = cc >{{cite web|url=https://www.west-midlands.police.uk/about-us/executive-team/chief-constable|title=Chief Constable|access-date=30 December 2022|publisher=West Midlands Police|archive-date=18 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211018085836/http://www.west-midlands.police.uk/about-us/executive-team/chief-constable|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Police and Crime Commissioner===
{{Main|West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner}}
The West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), established in 2012 as one of several directly-elected [[police and crime commissioner]]s, is responsible for oversight and accountability for WMP and appoints the chief constable.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.westmidlands-pcc.gov.uk/your-commissioner/what-is-a-pcc/|title=What is a PCC?|access-date=2 October 2021|publisher=[[West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner]]}}</ref> {{As of|2021}}, the PCC is [[Simon Foster]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.westmidlands-pcc.gov.uk/your-commissioner/meet-your-pcc/|title=Meet your PCC|access-date=2 October 2012|publisher=[[West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner]]}}</ref> 

The West Midlands PCC replaces the West Midlands Police Authority, which was founded in 1996. Before it was replaced, the chair of the West Midlands Police Authority was Bishop Dr Derek Webley, of the New Testament Church of God in [[Handsworth, West Midlands|Handsworth]], the first non-politician member of Authority to be elected chair, and the first [[British African-Caribbean community|African-Caribbean]] chair of any police authority in the United Kingdom.<ref name="BDWebley">{{cite web|url=http://www.west-midlands-pa.gov.uk/member_BDWebley_biog.asp|title=Biography: Bishop Dr Derek Webley MBE|publisher=West Midlands Police Authority|accessdate=30 October 2011|archive-date=9 May 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120509072707/http://www.west-midlands-pa.gov.uk/member_BDWebley_biog.asp|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Crime statistics and budget===

The following table shows the percentage of cases resulting in a [[criminal charge]] or [[court summons]] in West Midlands Police's jurisdiction, by offence group, for the period from April 2020 to March 2021:<ref>{{cite web |url=https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1004911/prc-outcomes-open-data-mar2021-tables-220721.ods |title=Crime Outcomes in England and Wales Open Data, April 2020 to March 2021 |date=22 July 2021 |publisher=[[Home Office]] |access-date=3 October 2021}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
|- style="background:#efefef;"
!
! Criminal damage and arson
! Drug offences
! Possession of weapons offences
! Public order offences
! Robbery
! Sexual offences
! Theft offences
! Violence against the person
! Miscellaneous crimes against society
! Total
|-
| '''West Midlands Police'''
| 4%
| 17%
| 23%
| 5%
| 7%
| 2%
| 4%
| 3%
| 7%
| 4%
|-
| '''England and Wales'''
| 5%
| 20%
| 34%
| 8%
| 7%
| 4%
| 5%
| 7%
| 12%
| 7%
|}

[[Dave Thompson (police officer)|Dave Thompson]] stated that unforeseen pensions expenses of £8.6M in 2019 and £13.9M in 2020, from a budget of £514M cost roughly as much as 500 officers and would lower the total number of officers to 6,000, contrasted with 8,600 in 2010. Thompson added, “There is no question there will be more obvious rationing of services. The public can already see it is going on. We are already not pursuing crimes where we could find a suspect. We are doing things now that surprise me. We are struggling to deliver a service to the public. I think criminals are well aware now how stretched we are. These further cuts will leave us smaller than we have ever been. There is unquestionably more demand than there was in 1974.”<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/oct/23/police-chiefs-fewer-officers-treasury-shrinks-budgets-pensions Police chiefs warn of fewer officers after Treasury shrinks budgets further] ''[[The Guardian]]''</ref>

In the 2021/22 financial year, West Midlands Police's budget was £655.6M, an increase from £619.7M in 2020/21.<ref name=parkesdec20 />

==Structure and departments==

West Midlands Police covers an area of {{convert|348|sqmi}} with 2.93{{nbsp}}million inhabitants,<ref name = hmicfrsoverview >{{cite web | url = https://www.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmicfrs/police-forces/west-midlands/ | title = West Midlands Police: Key Facts | publisher = HMICFRS | access-date = 19 June 2021}}</ref> which includes the cities of [[Birmingham]], [[Coventry]], [[Wolverhampton]] and also the [[Black Country]]. 
{{As of|2020|9}}, the force has 6,846 [[police officer]]s, 219 [[special constable]]s, and 467 [[police community support officer]]s (PCSO), 165 [[police support volunteer]]s (PSV), and 3,704 staff.<ref name = stats2020 >{{cite web | url = https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/956740/police-workforce-sep20-tables.ods | publisher = Home Office | title = Data tables for 'Police workforce, England and Wales: 30 September 2020' | access-date = 14 May 2021 | date = 28 January 2021}}</ref>
In 2019, 10.9% of officers were from a [[Classification of ethnicity in the United Kingdom|BAME]] background, compared with 8.5% in 2014.<ref name="westmidlands-pcc.gov.uk">{{Cite web|url=https://www.westmidlands-pcc.gov.uk/west-midlands-pcc-commits-to-recruiting-1000-bame-police-officers-over-the-next-three-years/|title = West Midlands PCC commits to recruiting 1,000 BAME police officers over the next three years|date = 11 June 2020}}</ref>

===Local Policing Areas===

The area covered by West Midlands Police is divided into seven Local Policing Areas (LPAs). Each LPA is headed by a chief superintendent, responsible for the overall policing and management of the area, supported by a Senior Leadership Team (SLT) composed of a varying number of superintendents and chief inspectors.<ref name="LCT">{{cite web |url=http://www.solihull.gov.uk/akssolihull/images/att21804.pdf |title=Program Paragon |publisher=West Midlands Police |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120909202015/http://www.solihull.gov.uk/akssolihull/images/att21804.pdf|archive-date=9 September 2012}}</ref>

Each LPA has a number of dedicated Neighbourhood Policing teams. These cover a specific area and are headed by a sergeant with support from a number of police officers, PCSOs and sometimes [[special constable]]s. The force operates [[List of police stations in the West Midlands|a number of police stations]].

===Core policing teams===

West Midlands Police is structured in such a way that there are a number of key teams in each LPA who have the responsibility for dealing with everyday policing duties.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.west-midlands.police.uk/np/solihull/continuous-improvement/index.asp |title=Solihull LPU Continuous Improvement Overview |publisher=West Midlands Police |access-date=15 December 2012}}</ref> The force's current structure was gradually introduced over the past two years with the Solihull and Birmingham South LPUs being the first area to see the change in June 2011,<ref name="transfer">{{cite web |url=http://www.westmidlands-pcc.gov.uk/media/58192/08_CBusiness_19Jan2012_Continuous_Improvement_Transfer_of_Knowledge.pdf |title=Continuous Improvement Transfer of Knowledge |publisher=West Midlands Police Authority |access-date=15 December 2012}}</ref> and the Walsall LPU being the last in January 2013.<ref name="pc stanley">{{cite web |url=http://pcstanleywmp.wordpress.com/2012/11/13/a-change-is-gonna-come/ |title=A Change Is Gonna Come... |publisher=West Midlands Police |access-date=15 December 2012}}</ref> The structural change was introduced as part of the force's 'Continuous Improvement' programme with the ambition of working in a more cost effective and efficient manner and was overseen under the advice of accounting firm [[KPMG]].<ref name="transfer" />

Prior to Continuous Improvement, the force had operated with larger response and neighbourhood teams and smaller teams allocated to prisoner handling roles. Community action and priority teams were a new addition to the force's structure under Continuous Improvement.

The core policing teams are:

====Priority Crime Teams (PCT)====
The 'PCT' support neighbourhood officers to address local issues and resource demands for service not met by other departments. They include teams like Operation Skybridge, who operate in Birmingham, tackling serious and acquisitive crime.<ref>https://www.westmidlands.police.uk/news/west-midlands/news/news/2025/august/operation-skybridge-team-carries-out-enforcement-across-small-heath/</ref> They can be allocated to neighbourhoods suffering particular issues, for example anti-social behaviour, and are also often public order trained, so are used for policing football matches, demonstrations and similar occasions.<ref name="CAPT" /> As with the investigation teams, the community action and priority teams are supervised by a sergeant, who reports to an inspector.

Key responsibilities of community action and priority teams are as follows:<ref name="CAPT">{{cite web |url=http://www.westmidlands-pcc.gov.uk/media/57984/08_LocalPolicingandJustice_26Jan1_%20Neighbourhood%20Policing.pdf |title=Neighbourhood Policing |publisher=West Midlands Police Authority |access-date=8 January 2012}}</ref>
* Supporting neighbourhood teams – Providing specialist support to Neighbourhood Teams for example, conducting drugs warrants or addressing anti-social behaviour.
* Addressing local issues – Supporting other front line policing teams and completing tasking as directed by LPU local command teams
* Providing support for abstractions – Resourcing abstractions such as football matches, demonstrations and similar incidents so that Neighbourhood officers are able to focus on their beats.

====Investigation teams====
Officers on investigation teams have three main responsibilities, these being secondary investigation, prisoner handling and attending scheduled appointments with the public.<ref name="bsouth teams">{{cite web |url=http://www.west-midlands.police.uk/np/birminghamsouth/continuous-improvement/investigation.asp |title=Investigation and Prisoner Handling |publisher=West Midlands Police |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130505184213/http://www.west-midlands.police.uk/np/birminghamsouth/continuous-improvement/investigation.asp |archive-date=5 May 2013 |access-date=13 February 2017}}</ref> These officers are also responsible for completing prosecution files and other paperwork necessary for taking cases to court. Investigation teams are split into a number of shifts, each supervised by a sergeant, and will have an inspector supervising the sergeants.

Key responsibilities of investigation teams are as follows:<ref name="bsouth teams"/>
* Secondary investigation – Following initial attendance of incidents by Response Team officers, investigations are allocated to investigation teams who conduct any follow up enquiries that are required.
* Prisoner handling – Offenders arrested by response and neighbourhood officers are handed to investigation teams who will interview and retain ownership of the investigation up to the point of its conclusion. 
* Scheduled response – Operating on a diary system, investigation team officers attend pre-booked slots with members of the public who are wanting to report none urgent matters.

====Neighbourhood teams====
[[File:Pedal Power!.jpg|thumb|Neighbourhood officers with their bikes]]
Aligned to specific neighbourhoods, these officers seek to tackle long term issues affecting local areas and attend community meetings. There are 171 neighbourhoods across the West Midlands,<ref name="about us index">{{cite web|url=http://www.west-midlands.police.uk/about-us/index.asp |title=West Midlands Police: About Us |publisher=West Midlands Police |access-date=12 February 2017 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025115831/http://www.west-midlands.police.uk/about-us/index.asp |archive-date=25 October 2012}}</ref> and officers assigned to neighbourhood teams are often supported by PCSOs and special constables. It is not uncommon for busier areas, such as town centres, to have several neighbourhood teams such as the St. Matthews beat covering Walsall town centre, which has two teams.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.west-midlands.police.uk/np/walsall/nh.asp?ID=191 |title=St Matthews Neighbourhood |publisher=West Midlands Police |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130505154636/http://www.west-midlands.police.uk/np/walsall/nh.asp?ID=191 |archive-date=5 May 2013 |access-date=13 February 2017}}</ref> Neighbourhood teams usually have a single sergeant who reports to a sector inspector.

====Response====
Response officers work in shifts around the clock answering the most urgent calls for service received through the force's call centres. It is not unusual for response officers to work alone and each response shift usually has a number of officers who are authorised to carry [[Taser]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxFRZE-HZOM&list=PL8C56FD9421133A5B&index=4 |title=How Taser is being used to keep our communities safe |publisher=West Midlands Police |access-date=17 December 2012}}{{cbignore}}{{Dead Youtube links|date=February 2022}}</ref> In addition to Taser, some response officers also carry mobile fingerprint ID machines to confirm identities at the roadside.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://twitpic.com/b3vper |title=I am an investigation officer in Walsall - 'policing at the sharp end' |publisher=West Midlands Police |access-date=13 February 2017}}</ref> Response officers undergo enhanced driving training and also have a range of other skills required to perform their role including 'method of entry' training so that they can force entry into premises. Many response officers are also public order trained in order to respond to spontaneous disorder should it occur. Response teams are supervised by a number of sergeants and an inspector.

Key responsibilities of response teams are as follows:
* Primary investigation – Attending incidents in the first instance, Response officers gather available evidence and record offences. Follow up enquiries are then allocated to the investigation teams.
* Missing person enquiries – Response officers conduct investigations into missing persons with a low or medium risk assessment.
* Traffic – Officers from response teams attend reported road traffic accidents, sometimes supporting force traffic in the case of serious collisions.

===Specialist crime teams===

The core policing teams are supported by, and work closely with, a number of specialist crime teams.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.west-midlands.police.uk/specialist-crime/ |title=Specialist Crime Units and Operations Departments |publisher=West Midlands Police |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130505164107/http://www.west-midlands.police.uk/specialist-crime/ |archive-date=5 May 2013 |access-date=13 February 2017}}</ref> West Midlands Police had a [[mounted police|mounted]] division which was disbanded in 1999 to divert funds elsewhere. The Chief Constable has recently announced plans for this unit to be reintroduced after success in using horses from other forces in the West Midlands, at large scale public order events.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2006/aug/28/ukcrime.patrickbarkham |title=Your ad, on a police horse |newspaper=The Guardian|date=28 August 2006|location=London|first=Patrick|last=Barkham |access-date=13 February 2017}}</ref> Current specialist crime teams include:

====Air operations====
{{See also|Police aviation in the United Kingdom}}
[[File:Day 111 - West Midlands Police - The Battle of Digbeth (13979323671).jpg|thumb|G-BAKS on hire to West Midlands police in 1978]]
[[File:West Midlands Police helicopter G-WMPA.jpg|thumb|right|Previous helicopter, G-WMPA, an [[Aérospatiale AS355 F2]].]]
[[File:Force Helicopter (Air Ops) & Crew.jpg|thumb|The force helicopter in Sutton Park]]
{{Commons category|West Midlands Police helicopters}}

Air operations in the force's area have been provided by the [[National Police Air Service]] since 2012.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-19781996|title=New police air service takes off|work=BBC News|date=1 October 2012|access-date=16 December 2012}}</ref> 
Previously, the Midlands Air Operations Unit was a consortium of West Midlands, Warwickshire, West Mercia and Staffordshire Police based at Birmingham Airport. It operated from July 1987,<ref name="G-WMPA">{{cite web|url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/westmidlandspolice/7642544314/|title=Day 207 – West Midlands Police – Historical Image of Police Helicopter|date=25 July 2012|work=[[Flickr]]|publisher=West Midlands Police|access-date=26 July 2012}}</ref>
until it was replaced by the After experimenting, since the 1970s, with civilian helicopters hired on an occasional basis,<ref name="HtpwTBoD">{{cite web|url=http://weare40.west-midlands.police.uk/how-the-police-won-the-battle-of-digbeth/|title=How the police won 'The Battle of Digbeth'|date=21 April 2014|publisher=West Midlands Police|access-date=6 May 2014}}</ref> West Midlands Police launched their own air unit on 10 May 1989.<ref name="G-WMPA" /> A WMP helicopter was destroyed by arson in June 2009, while at [[Birmingham Airport]].<ref>{{Cite journal| title = Gangs suspected as police make 'good progress' in helicopter probe.| journal = The Birmingham Post (England)
| access-date = 26 July 2012| date = 24 June 2009| url = http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-202273152.html| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130518132454/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-202273152.html| url-status = dead| archive-date = 18 May 2013| via= [[HighBeam]]}} </ref>

====Airport policing====

The West Midlands Police force area includes [[Birmingham Airport]] which is on the Solihull LPA.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.west-midlands.police.uk/postcode/display.asp?code=SHAB |title=Find your Neighbourhood |publisher=West Midlands Police |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130505155045/http://www.west-midlands.police.uk/postcode/display.asp?code=SHAB |archive-date=5 May 2013 |access-date=13 February 2017}}</ref>
The airport has a dedicated airports policing team assigned who work closely with [[Border Force]] customs and immigration officers.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.west-midlands.police.uk/specialist-crime/airport-policing/index.asp |title=Airport Policing |publisher=West Midlands Police |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130505170436/http://www.west-midlands.police.uk/specialist-crime/airport-policing/index.asp |archive-date=5 May 2013 |access-date=13 February 2017}}</ref> Officers working at the airport have additional powers under the [[Terrorism Act 2000]] as the airport is "designated" under the terms of the Act<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.west-midlands.police.uk/specialist-crime/airport-policing/legislation.asp |title=Legislation Part One |publisher=West Midlands Police |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130505183010/http://www.west-midlands.police.uk/specialist-crime/airport-policing/legislation.asp |archive-date=5 May 2013 |access-date=13 February 2017}}</ref> and some are armed.

====Central Motorway Police Group (CMPG)====

{{See also|Central Motorway Police Group}}
West Midlands Police is one of the two police forces who contribute officers to the [[Central Motorway Police Group]], the other being [[Staffordshire Police]].<ref name="Central Motorway Police Group">{{cite web |url=http://www.west-midlands.police.uk/cmpg/about_who.htm |title=Central Motorway Police Group |publisher=West Midlands Police |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130505155505/http://www.west-midlands.police.uk/cmpg/about_who.htm |archive-date=5 May 2013 |access-date=13 February 2017}}</ref> CMPG operate out of three main bases, the main headquarters being under the [[M6 motorway]] at [[Perry Barr]] at which their central control room and vehicle depot is situated.<ref>[[Central Motorway Police Group]]</ref> CMPG also have a regional control centre in [[Quinton, Birmingham]] shared with [[National Highways]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Central Motorway Police Group|url=https://www.west-midlands.police.uk/specialist-teams/central-motorway-police-group|publisher=West Midlands Police|access-date=3 July 2021}}</ref> Officers attached to CMPG cover a wide geographical area, including in the West Midlands the [[M6 motorway|M6]], [[M54 motorway|M54]] and [[A45 road|A45]].<ref name="Central Motorway Police Group"/>

The CMPG has been disbanded recently, ending the collaboration which consisted of Staffordshire Police and West Midlands Police. Both forces have introduced larger Roads Policing Departments in their own force areas to tackle road related offending.

====Counter Terrorism Policing West Midlands (CTPWM)<!-- [[National Action (UK)]] links to this heading -->====
Based in Birmingham, Counter Terrorism Policing West Midlands (CTPWM) is responsible for co-ordinating the force's [[counter-terrorism]] activity. CTPWM works under the guidance of the Government's national counter terrorism strategy, [[CONTEST]], with the aims of pursuing terrorists, protecting the public, preparing for a possible attack and preventing terrorism by working in the community to address the causes of terrorist activity.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.west-midlands.police.uk/crime-reduction/tackling-terrorism/index.asp |title=Tackling Terrorism |publisher=Safer Travel |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20090703101923/http://www.west-midlands.police.uk/crime-reduction/tackling-terrorism/index.asp |archive-date=3 July 2009 |access-date=13 February 2017}}</ref>

====Dog Section====

Most dogs in the West Midlands Police Dog Section are products of an in-house breeding program which the force has been running at its [[Balsall Common]] training centre since 1994.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.west-midlands.police.uk/specialist-crime/dogs/breeding-programme.asp |title=Breeding Programme |publisher=West Midlands Police |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130505162425/http://www.west-midlands.police.uk/specialist-crime/dogs/breeding-programme.asp |archive-date=5 May 2013 |access-date=13 February 2017}}</ref>

Specialist [[search dog]]s including Springer Spaniels and Labradors are also used by the Dogs Unit to locate drugs or firearms and explosives. Dogs are continually recruited from rescue centres and from members of the public. All specialist dogs are handled by officers who already have a general purpose police dog, giving the handler responsibility in both training and operational deployment.<ref name="WMP Dogs Unit">{{cite web|title=West Midlands Police – Dogs Unit|url=https://www.west-midlands.police.uk/keeping-you-safe/behind-the-badge/dogs/index.aspx|publisher=West Midlands Police|access-date=10 February 2014}}</ref>

Prior to 2013 there were 69 operational dog handlers working in West Midlands Police, dogs underwent an initial training program lasting twelve weeks.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.west-midlands.police.uk/specialist-crime/dogs/ops-police-dogs.asp |title=Operational Police Dogs |publisher=West Midlands Police |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130505171425/http://www.west-midlands.police.uk/specialist-crime/dogs/ops-police-dogs.asp |archive-date=5 May 2013 |access-date=12 February 2017}}</ref> Officers with the Dog Section patrol in specially adapted Skoda patrol vehicles with air conditioned cages capable of carrying up to three dogs in the rear<ref>{{cite web |url=http://pcstanleywmp.wordpress.com/2012/06/08/black-dog/ |title=Black Dog... |publisher=West Midlands Police |access-date=15 December 2012}}</ref> and operate from bases at [[Aston]], [[Canley]] and [[Wednesbury]].<ref name="dogs">{{cite web |url=http://www.west-midlands-pa.gov.uk/documents/committees/public/2010/09_PServices_15July2010_Operations_Update.pdf |title=Operations Department Update |publisher=West Midlands Police Authority |access-date=15 December 2012}}</ref>

====Events planning and football====
The events planning department has responsibility for co-ordinating large-scale events taking place within the force area and also for ensuring that officers are available should they be required to support other regional forces through mutual aid arrangements.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.west-midlands.police.uk/specialist-crime/events-planning-football/index.asp |title=Events Planning and Football |publisher=West Midlands Police |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130505160043/http://www.west-midlands.police.uk/specialist-crime/events-planning-football/index.asp |archive-date=5 May 2013 |access-date=12 February 2017}}</ref> One major responsibility of the department is organising the policing operation for the Autumn political party conferences that are often held at the [[International Convention Centre, Birmingham|International Convention Centre]] in Birmingham. Included within this department also is the Football Unit who coordinate policing of football games within the West Midlands and operate a team of "spotters" to identify violent supporters and banned individuals.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://pcstanleywmp.wordpress.com/2012/04/01/win-that-ball-head-for-the-goal-use-your-stealth-dont-lose-control/ |title=Win that ball, head for the goal, use your stealth, don't lose control… |publisher=West Midlands Police |access-date=15 December 2012}}</ref>

The policing of large-scale events such as football matches, VIP visits and public demonstrations can be coordinated from the force's Events Control Suite (ECS) at the Tally Ho facility in Birmingham. The ECS is able to receive live CCTV footage and has computer facilities for the use of partner agencies with whom the suite is shared.<ref name="ECS">{{cite web |url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/westmidlandspolice/7118529617/in/set-72157628510606181 |title=Day 119 - West Midlands Police - Events Control Suite |publisher=West Midlands Police |access-date=12 February 2017|date=27 April 2012 }}</ref>

====Firearms====

West Midlands Police operate a number of [[armed response vehicle]]s (ARVs) that patrol the region and respond to incidents typically involving guns, knives or dangerous dogs.<ref name="Firearms Unit">{{cite web |url=http://www.west-midlands.police.uk/specialist-crime/firearms/index.asp |title=Firearms Unit |publisher=West Midlands Police |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130505154153/http://www.west-midlands.police.uk/specialist-crime/firearms/index.asp |archive-date=5 May 2013 |access-date=13 February 2017}}</ref> Officers undertake a ten-week selection process to join the firearms unit with courses being delivered on weapons, tactics and advanced driving.

Alongside attending firearms incidents, officers attached to the firearms unit also provide tactical advice when planning operations and give lectures on firearms awareness to officers and members of the public.<ref name="Firearms Unit"/> The force also has a Firearms Licensing Department which is responsible for [[Gun politics in the United Kingdom|the issue of shotgun and firearms certificates to members of the public]] and explosives certificates to companies requiring them.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.west-midlands.police.uk/help-advice/firearms-licensing/index.asp |title=Firearms licensing: introduction |publisher=West Midlands Police |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130505183603/http://www.west-midlands.police.uk/help-advice/firearms-licensing/index.asp |archive-date=5 May 2013 |access-date=13 February 2017}}</ref>

====Major Crime Unit====
Detached from the LPAs, Major Crime is staffed by officers holding a detective qualification and investigate serious and complicated crimes not taken on by Local CID or other departments. Such offences include murders, attempt murders, firearms offences and kidnaps. 

Major Crime is arranged into a series of investigation teams including a dedicated Homicide Unit, working from [[Aston]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.westmidlands-pcc.gov.uk/media/58084/08_PServices_02Feb2012_Force_CID.pdf |title=Force CID |publisher=West Midlands Police Authority |access-date=17 December 2012}}</ref>

As well as the Homicide and Reactive Team managing these major investigations, the Unit has a Proactive element which has responsibilities for managing investigations locate and apprehend offenders wanted for the most serious offences.

The introduction of the County Lines Task Force has seen a renewed focus on drugs supply across the force and further afield. The CLTF have also safeguarded a number of young people at risk of exploitation.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.westmidlands.police.uk/news/west-midlands/news/news/2024/october/county-lines-taskforce-safeguards-more-than-a-hundred-victims/ |title=County Lines Taskforce safeguards more than a hundred victims }}</ref>

Also working within Major Crime are a series of Payback Teams who are responsible for arranging [[asset seizure]]s and confiscations under the [[Proceeds of Crime Act 2002]]. During 2011 offenders were forced to pay back £6.3M from proceeds of crime, a 39% increase on the previous year.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.birminghampost.net/news/west-midlands-news/2012/05/31/west-midlands-criminals-forced-to-pay-back-6-3m-65233-31080834/ |title=West Midlands criminals forced to pay back £6.3m |newspaper=Birmingham Post |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130221054752/http://www.birminghampost.net/news/west-midlands-news/2012/05/31/west-midlands-criminals-forced-to-pay-back-6-3m-65233-31080834/ |archive-date=21 February 2013 |access-date=13 February 2017}}</ref>

====Road Policing Department====
Based at Park Lane, Chelmsley Wood and Wednesbury,<ref name="west-midlands.police.uk">{{cite web |url=https://foi.west-midlands.police.uk/fleet-car-list-3369_15/ |title=Fleet Car List (3369_15 ) |date=29 September 2015 |access-date=13 February 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.west-midlands.police.uk/specialist-crime/traffic/index.asp |title=Force Traffic Unit |publisher=West Midlands Police |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130505153856/http://www.west-midlands.police.uk/specialist-crime/traffic/index.asp |archive-date=5 May 2013 |access-date=13 February 2017}}</ref> the force traffic unit had responsibility for roads policing on all roads inside the West Midlands other than the motorways which are covered by the Central Motorways Policing Group, but since its disbanding the newly bolstered RPD also covers this element of the road network. Officers from the RPD usually hold advanced driving grades and have access to marked and unmarked vehicles, including BMWs and Audis fitted with evidential video recording equipment. Road Policing is supported by a Collision Investigation Unit based at [[Aston]] Police Station who investigate accidents involving fatalities or life-changing injuries.<ref name="west-midlands.police.uk"/>

====Forensic scene investigators (FSI)====

Officers are supported by a team of around 100 civilian forensics scene investigators who attend crime scenes and examine seized items to obtain forensic evidence for use in court.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.west-midlands.police.uk/specialist-crime/forensic/index.asp |title=Forensic Investigators |publisher=West Midlands Police |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130505172442/http://www.west-midlands.police.uk/specialist-crime/forensic/index.asp |archive-date=5 May 2013 |access-date=13 February 2017}}</ref> Formerly known as scenes of crime officers (SOCO), scene investigators have access to a wide range of specialist equipment to help with their role and alongside gathering [[Forensic science|forensic samples]]; they also are responsible for [[Forensic photography|crime scene photography]].

====Intelligence unit====
West Midlands Police has dedicated intelligence cells based on each LPU who collate and disseminate information collected by officers from a range of other sources. This role involves "sanitising" intelligence logs and forwarding them on to relevant persons, receiving information from outside sources such as [[Crimestoppers]], and assisting with the progression of investigations.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.west-midlands-pa.gov.uk/documents/committees/public/2011/09_PServices_06Oct2011_West_Midlands_Police_Intelligence_Department.pdf |title=West Midlands Police Intelligence Department |publisher=West Midlands Police Authority |access-date=22 December 2012}}</ref>

The intelligence unit is responsible for organising briefing material for officers and police leadership; they also include a covert operations unit, who coordinate [[Covert policing in the United Kingdom|undercover policing operations]] under the terms of the [[Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000]] (RIPA).

West Midlands Police is a partner alongside [[Warwickshire Police]], [[West Mercia Police]] and [[Staffordshire Police]] in the Regional Intelligence Unit collaborative working agreement under which information is shared between the forces on serious and organised criminals affecting the West Midlands Region.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.westmercia.police.uk/about-us/publications-and-consultation/joint-policing-plan-2010-13/collaboration.html |title=Collaboration |publisher=West Mercia Police |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130505154546/http://www.westmercia.police.uk/about-us/publications-and-consultation/joint-policing-plan-2010-13/collaboration.html |archive-date=5 May 2013 |access-date=13 February 2017}}</ref>

====Integrated emergency management (IEM)====

The Operations Integrated Emergency Management service is responsible for ensuring that the force is ready to respond to major incidents, that business continuity plans are in place and that the force's duty under the [[Civil Contingencies Act 2004]] is satisfied.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.west-midlands.police.uk/specialist-crime/iem/index.asp |title=Integrated Emergency Management |publisher=West Midlands Police |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130505160241/http://www.west-midlands.police.uk/specialist-crime/iem/index.asp |archive-date=5 May 2013 |access-date=13 February 2017}}</ref> This work includes running exercises and drills to test readiness and working closely with other emergency services and local authorities. As part of the service's work, the force also maintains a number of Casualty Bureau facilities at which calls from the public are taken and collated following a major incident such as a plane crash or terrorist attack.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://pcstanleywmp.wordpress.com/2012/09/27/im-a-survivor/ |title=I'm a survivor… |publisher=West Midlands Police |access-date=15 December 2012}}</ref>

====Local CID====

Each LPU has a Local CID team of officers who hold a detective qualification and conduct secondary investigations into serious offences that occur within their area. Offences that fall under the remit of Local CID include [[burglary]] of dwellings, personal [[robbery|robberies]], [[fraud]]s and some vehicle crime.

====Offender management unit (OMU)====

All LPAs have an offender management unit (OMU) who work with partner agencies to concentrate on the offenders living on their areas identified as being particularly difficult or damaging. Offenders who fall into this category include those designated as prolific and other priority offenders (PPOs), drug users, violent criminals and young criminals.<ref name="OMU">{{cite web |url=http://www.west-midlands.police.uk/np/birminghamsouth/documents/offender-manager-newsletter-2011.pdf |title=Birmingham South Offender Management |publisher=West Midlands Police |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130521051917/http://www.west-midlands.police.uk/np/birminghamsouth/documents/offender-manager-newsletter-2011.pdf |archive-date=21 May 2013 |access-date=13 February 2017}}</ref>

Officers from the OMU manage their assigned PPOs under two strands. One consists of rehabilitation and resettlement under which partner agencies are involved in an effort to halt re-offending whilst the other consists of catching and convicting offenders who have been identified as not participating in rehabilitation programmes or are wanted for outstanding crimes.<ref name="OMU" />

====Operational support unit (OSU)====

Working from Park Lane the operational support unit is a team of officers specially trained in areas including Public Order policing, method of entry and searching.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.west-midlands.police.uk/specialist-crime/OSU/index.asp |title=Operational Support Unit |publisher=West Midlands Police |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130505155515/http://www.west-midlands.police.uk/specialist-crime/OSU/index.asp |archive-date=5 May 2013 |access-date=13 February 2017}}</ref> Officers working with the OSU are typically deployed as part of a "serial" of one sergeant and seven officers and have access to specialist equipment and vehicles including armoured land rovers.

====Public protection unit (PPU)====

The public protection unit (PPU) investigates reports of sexual assaults and incidents involving children and vulnerable people. PPU is split between adult and child investigations, is responsible for safeguarding and works with partner agencies such as social services and domestic violence charities.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.west-midlands-pa.gov.uk/documents/committees/public/2011/11_PServices_14July2011_Crime_Portfolio_Public_Protection_Unit_Update.pdf |title= Crime Portfolio: Public Protection Unit Update |publisher=West Midlands Police Authority |access-date=17 December 2012}}</ref> As with CID, most officers working in the PPU hold a detective qualification.

====Safer travel====

The safer travel team is a collaboration between West Midlands Police, the [[British Transport Police]] and [[West Midlands Passenger Transport Executive|CENTRO]], focusing on criminal activity occurring on the public transport network.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.safertravel.info/page/78/About.htm |title=About |publisher=West Midlands Police |access-date=13 February 2017}}</ref> The team is composed of officers and PCSOs who patrol trains, buses and trams in the region.

The Partnership, the first of its type in the country, also has access to around 1,000 CCTV cameras which are located at bus, rail and metro stations, park and ride sites and in bus shelters.<ref name="Safer Travel Partnership">{{cite web |title=Safer Travel Partnership |url=http://www.safertravel.info/ |access-date=10 February 2014}}</ref> The dedicated control centre is staffed 24 hours a day to spot and respond to incidents.<ref name="Safer Travel Partnership"/>

===Professional standards department (PSD)===
Based at Lloyd House, the professional standards department (PSD) is responsible for the recording and assessment of public complaints about police officers, police staff or special constables. PSD also has a role in investigating serious reports of [[police misconduct|misconduct]] and [[police corruption in the United Kingdom|corruption]] involving members of the force.

Members of the public are eligible to make a complaint if the behaviour about which they want to complain was directed towards them, if they were "adversely affected" by said behaviour or if they were an eyewitness to said behaviour.<ref name="Who can make a complaint">{{cite web |url=http://www.west-midlands.police.uk/contact-us/complaints-compliments/who-can-complain.asp |title=Who can make a complaint? |publisher=West Midlands Police |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130505161611/http://www.west-midlands.police.uk/contact-us/complaints-compliments/who-can-complain.asp |archive-date=5 May 2013 |access-date=13 February 2017}}</ref> A person is "adversely affected" if they suffer any form of loss or damage, distress or inconvenience, if they are put in danger or are otherwise unduly put at risk of being adversely affected.

PSD work alongside the [[Independent Office for Police Conduct]] (IOPC), to whom they will refer the most serious allegations.<ref name="Who can make a complaint"/>

Where appropriate, PSD have a range of outcomes following disciplinary panels, including no action, counselling (management advice), written warning, transfer to another post, withholding increments and dismissal.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.west-midlands.police.uk/foi/publication-scheme/policies-procedures/policy-PS.asp?id=106 |title=Our Policies |publisher=West Midlands Police |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130505160916/http://www.west-midlands.police.uk/foi/publication-scheme/policies-procedures/policy-PS.asp?id=106 |archive-date=5 May 2013 |access-date=13 February 2017}}</ref>

West Midlands Police recorded 501 complaints for 2018/19, a 36 percent drop in comparison to 2017/18 during which 777 complaints were recorded.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.policeconduct.gov.uk/sites/default/files/Documents/statistics/complaints_statistics_2018_19_v2.pdf |title=Police complaints: Statistics for England and Wales 2018/19 |publisher=[[Independent Office for Police Conduct]] |access-date=8 October 2021 |year=2019 |page=23 |archive-date=21 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230321093517/https://www.policeconduct.gov.uk/sites/default/files/Documents/statistics/complaints_statistics_2018_19_v2.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===Press Office===
Also known as Corporate Communications, the West Midlands Police Press Office is centralised at headquarters and is charged with representing the force's public image.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.west-midlands.police.uk/foi/publication-scheme/policies-procedures/policy-PML.asp?id=131 |title=Our Policies |publisher=West Midlands Police |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130505155612/http://www.west-midlands.police.uk/foi/publication-scheme/policies-procedures/policy-PML.asp?id=131 |archive-date=5 May 2013 |access-date=13 February 2017}}</ref> Each LPU has dedicated Territorial Communications officers and in addition to addressing media enquiries, the Press Office also looks after the force's website and publishes the force's internal online newspaper, ''News Beat''.

====Social media====
West Midlands Police maintains a presence on [[social media]] websites including [[Twitter]], [[Facebook]], [[Flickr]], [[YouTube]] and [[blog]]ging platforms.<ref name="WMP Social Media">{{cite web|title=West Midlands Police – Social Media users|url=http://www.west-midlands.police.uk/contact-us/social-media/index.aspx|publisher=West Midlands Police|access-date=10 February 2014}}</ref>

Several of the force's social media accounts have won recognition as examples of best practice, including Solihull Police's Twitter feed which came first place in the 2012 Golden Twits' Customer Service category<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.goldentwits.com/user/SolihullPolice |title=SOLIHULL POLICE (SOLIHULLPOLICE) |publisher=Golden Twits |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130124134103/http://www.goldentwits.com/user/SolihullPolice |archive-date=24 January 2013 |access-date=12 February 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.thedrum.com/news/2012/12/14/stephen-fry-ricky-gervais-alison-moyet-and-waterstones-oxford-street-amongst-golden |title=Stephen Fry, Ricky Gervais, Alison Moyet and Waterstones Oxford Street amongst Golden Twits winners|date=14 December 2012|publisher=The Drum}}</ref> and Inspector Brown's Mark Hanson Digital Media Award 2012 for his mental health blog.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mind.org.uk/news/show/7783_winners_of_the_mind_media_awards |title=Winners of the Mind Media Awards |publisher=West Midlands Police |access-date=15 December 2012}}</ref>

===Special constabulary===
{{See also|Special Constabulary}}
Officers belonging to the special constabulary have the same powers as full-time officers and are unpaid volunteers, giving a minimum of sixteen hours a month of duty time.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.west-midlands.police.uk/np/dudley/findoutmore/special-constabulary.asp |title=Dudley Special Constabulary |publisher=West Midlands Police |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130505161409/http://www.west-midlands.police.uk/np/dudley/findoutmore/special-constabulary.asp |archive-date=5 May 2013 |access-date=14 February 2017}}</ref>

After initial training special constables are deployed wearing the same street uniform as other officers. They can be identified as Specials by their collar numbers, which start with 7 and the 'SC' on their epaulettes.

Special constables provide West Midlands Police with around 96,000 hours of voluntary duty each year and usually work alongside regular officers on neighbourhood teams, response teams<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.west-midlands.police.uk/crime-reduction/community-involvement/special-constables.asp |title=Special Constables |publisher=West Midlands Police |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130505154322/http://www.west-midlands.police.uk/crime-reduction/community-involvement/special-constables.asp |archive-date=5 May 2013 |access-date=14 February 2017}}</ref> and also Community Action & Priority Teams.<ref name="CAPT"/>

==PEEL inspection==
[[Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services]] (HMICFRS) conducts a periodic police effectiveness, efficiency and legitimacy (PEEL) inspection of each police service's performance. In its latest PEEL inspection, West Midlands Police was rated as follows:<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmicfrs/wp-content/uploads/peel-assessment-2021-22-west-midlands.pdf | title = PEEL 2021/22 Police effectiveness, efficiency and legitimacy: An inspection of West Midlands Police | publisher = [[Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services]] | date = 24 November 2021 | access-date = 29 January 2022}}</ref>

{|class="wikitable"
|-
! {{nbsp}} !! Outstanding !! Good !! Adequate !! Requires Improvement !! Inadequate
|- style="vertical-align:top;" |
|'''2021 rating'''
|
|{{ubl|Preventing crime|Recording data about crime|Treatment of the public|Disrupting serious organised crime|Good use of resources}}
|{{ubl|Responding to the public|Managing offenders|Developing a positive workplace}}
|{{ubl|Investigating crime|Supporting victims|Protecting vulnerable people}}
|
|}

==Recruitment and training==
Applicants to join West Midlands Police as police officers are subject to a staged recruitment process designed to assess their suitability for the role, including background checks, medical and fitness tests.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.west-midlands.police.uk/wmprrecruit/wmpr200613013251.asp |title=Police Officer / Stage 1: Application Form |publisher=West Midlands Police |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130423204021/https://www.west-midlands.police.uk/wmprrecruit/wmpr200613013251.asp |archive-date=23 April 2013 |access-date=16 February 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.west-midlands.police.uk/wmprrecruit/wmpr2006130132657.asp |title=Police Officer / Stage 2: Assessment Centre |publisher=West Midlands Police |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130423202553/https://www.west-midlands.police.uk/wmprrecruit/wmpr2006130132657.asp |archive-date=23 April 2013 |access-date=16 February 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Current vacancies &nbsp; Keywords Location |url=https://www.west-midlands.police.uk/wmprrecruit/wmpr2006130133151.asp |title=Join the force &#124; Latest jobs |publisher=West-midlands.police.uk |access-date=29 August 2015}}</ref><ref name="applicants">{{cite web |url=https://www.west-midlands.police.uk/wmprrecruit/wmpr2006130133252.asp |title=Police Officers / Stage 4: Medical |publisher=West Midlands Police |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130423203612/https://www.west-midlands.police.uk/wmprrecruit/wmpr2006130133252.asp |archive-date=23 April 2013 |access-date=16 February 2017}}</ref>

On being accepted to join the force, new recruits undergo an initial training course last eighteen weeks which is non-residential and based mainly in the classroom but with periodic practical exercises and attachments. Performance is assessed by a series of examinations and training includes self-defence lessons and tuition on police computer systems. Following successful completion of initial training, recruits are then tutored on their LPUs for nine weeks before being signed off for independent patrol. They retain their status as student officers for a period of two years from their joining date during which they are required to maintain a record of their development. Upon reaching two years service, student officers are "confirmed" in their rank by a senior officer, usually their LPU commander.

The recruitment process for PCSOs is similar to that of police officers although training periods are reduced.

In November 2018 it emerged that the police force had blocked white male officers from promotion, setting aside half of all promotion slots for women and ethnic minority candidates in seven out of eight of the year's promotion rounds. In the year's final round the force continued to discriminate, by blocking white male applicants for two days. A complaint by the Police Federation union noted that the practice was illegal and condemned it as "not fit for purpose". As a result West Midlands Police "paused" the practice.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/west-midland-police-accused-discriminating-15417965|title=West Midlands Police 'discriminating against white male officers'|first=Jeanette|last=Oldham|date=15 November 2018|website=birminghammail}}</ref>

On 11 June 2020, West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner David Jamieson committed to ensuring that the force recruits 1,000 new [[Black, Asian and minority ethnic]] police officers over the following three years to make the force look more like the communities it serves.<ref name="westmidlands-pcc.gov.uk"/>

==Presentation==
[[File:Tackling anti-social behaviour on patrol.jpg|thumb|A female police community support officer, left, and a male police officer wearing typical street uniforms of West Midlands Police]]
Police officers working for West Midlands Police have a wide range of different uniforms, equipment and vehicles dependent on their specific roles.

===Uniform===
{{See also|Police uniforms and equipment in the United Kingdom}}
Officers' standard street uniform consists of black lightweight zip-up shirts, black trousers and a high visibility protective vest. White shirts were replaced by the black T-shirts in 2010 at a cost of £100,000 but are retained for court and station duties.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10499030 |title=West Midlands Police 'wastes money' on new shirts |date=3 July 2010 |work=BBC News |access-date=15 December 2012}}</ref> Officers are issued with fleeces, weatherproof pullovers, fluorescent jackets, high visibility tabards, waterproof over trousers and slash resistant gloves.

====Ranks and epaulettes====
{{See also|Police ranks of the United Kingdom}}
Shoulder insignia for ranks above police constable are as follows:

<gallery caption="West Midlands Police warranted officer ranks" heights="200px" perrow="4">
File:Epaulette - Sergeant Rank.jpg|'''Sergeant'''
File:Epaulette - Inspector Rank.jpg|'''Inspector'''
File:Epaulette - Chief Inspector or Detective Chief Inspector Rank.jpg|'''Chief Inspector'''
File:Epaulette - Superintendent Rank.jpg|'''Superintendent'''
File:Epaulette - Chief Superintendent Rank.jpg|'''Chief Superintendent'''
File:Epaulette - Assistant Chief Constable Rank.jpg|'''Assistant Chief Constable'''
File:Epaulette - Deputy Chief Constable Rank.jpg|'''Deputy Chief Constable'''
File:Epaulette - Chief Constable Rank.jpg|'''Chief Constable'''
</gallery>

When dressed for public order policing, officers wear coloured epaulettes indicating their respective roles. [[Gold–silver–bronze command structure|Bronze commanders]] wear yellow epaulettes, inspectors wear red epaulettes, sergeants wear white epaulettes, tactical advisors wear blue epaulettes, medics wear green epaulettes and evidence gathering officers have orange epaulettes.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/westmidlandspolice/sets/72157631318960014/with/7893296992/ |title=Epaulette Guide - Rank & Roles |publisher=West Midlands Police |access-date=16 February 2017|date=31 August 2012 }}</ref>

===Equipment===
{{See also|Police_duty_belt#Country-specific_equipment}}

As part of standard issue Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), officers carry [[Sepura]] [[TETRA]] radios, rigid handcuffs, [[PAVA spray|PAVA]] spray and an extendible friction lock baton.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://pcstanleywmp.wordpress.com/2011/03/23/boy-you%E2%80%99re-gonna-carry-that-weight%E2%80%A6/ |title=Boy, you're gonna carry that weight… |publisher=West Midlands Police |access-date=15 December 2012}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=UNIFORM EQUIPMENT & APPEARANCE |url=https://foi.west-midlands.police.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Uniform-and-Equipment-v1.5.pdf |access-date=}}</ref> Officers also have access to first aid kits, limb restraints and torches.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/westmidlandspolice/6845663351/in/set-72157628510606181 |title=Day 40 - West Midlands Police - Personal Protective Equipment |publisher=West Midlands Police |access-date=16 February 2017|date=9 February 2012 }}</ref>

Traffic units, particularly officers performing collision investigation duties, use laser plotting devices to accurately survey collision sights and carry devices that can be used to measure road friction and deceleration values.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://pcstanleywmp.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/img_0435.jpg |title=Laser Plotting Device |publisher=West Midlands Police |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130110081134/http://pcstanleywmp.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/img_0435.jpg |archive-date=10 January 2013 |access-date=16 February 2017}}</ref>

==Facilities==
[[File:Events Control Suite.jpg|thumb|The Events Control Suite]]

As of 2021, there are 11 police stations, with a front desk in the West Midlands Police force area, including Lloyd House in Birmingham, the force headquarters.<ref name=stations>{{cite web|url=https://west-midlands.police.uk/your-local-police/police-stations|title=Police Stations|access-date=6 October 2021|publisher=West Midlands Police}}</ref> There are also two 'superblock' [[custody suite]]s in the West Midlands.<ref name=stations/>

The NPAS helicopter operates from a base at [[Birmingham Airport]] in [[Solihull]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/local-news/west-midlands-police-ready-to-take-128653 |title=West Midlands Police ready to take off with new chopper |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |access-date=7 January 2012|date=22 July 2010 }}</ref>

Large scale policing demonstrations such as protest marches and football matches were coordinated from the Events Control Suite (ECS) in Birmingham.<ref name="ECS"/> Since that time the force has built a new purpose built Command Centre which contains the Force Control Room as well as hosting a number of other departments.

Public Order courses are hosted at the regional training centre which consists of a converted aircraft hangar on the [[RAF Cosford]] site near [[Telford]]. The site has facilities allowing officers to experience riot situations including dealing with 'Emotionally Disturbed Person' scenarios during which they are subject to attacks by role playing actors wielding weapons.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/local-news/birmingham-mail-reporter-undergoes-police-105010 |title=Birmingham Mail reporter undergoes police riot training |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |access-date=7 January 2012|date=5 October 2009 }}</ref>

West Midlands Police operate a Custody Visiting Scheme under which independent representatives from local communities are able to access detention facilities to observe, comment and report upon the welfare and treatment of detained persons.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.west-midlands.police.uk/foi/publication-scheme/policies-procedures/policy-CVS.asp?id=51 |title=Custody Visiting Scheme |publisher=West Midlands Police |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130505154923/http://www.west-midlands.police.uk/foi/publication-scheme/policies-procedures/policy-CVS.asp?id=51 |archive-date=5 May 2013 |access-date=16 February 2017}}</ref> Visits are conducted at random by volunteers working in pairs who then write a report on the feedback gathered during their visit.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.west-midlands-pa.gov.uk/whatiscustodyvisiting.asp |title=What is custody visiting? |publisher=West Midlands Police Authority |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20071105015716/http://www.west-midlands-pa.gov.uk/whatiscustodyvisiting.asp |archive-date=5 November 2007 |access-date=16 February 2017}}</ref>

In 2017 a joint inspection of the force's custody suites was conducted by [[HMIC]] and [[Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons]].<ref name="cells">{{Cite web |title=West Midlands police Web 2017 |url=https://www.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmiprisons/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2017/06/West-Midlands-police-Web-2017-1.pdf |website=www.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk}}</ref>

==West Midlands Police Federation==

The West Midlands Police Federation is a part of the [[Police Federation of England and Wales]], which is the representative body for every police officer below the rank of superintendent. Representatives of the Federation are elected for three year terms and must be serving police officers.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.westmidspolfed.com/about/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070216171128/http://www.westmidspolfed.com/about/ |url-status=usurped |archive-date=16 February 2007 |title=About Us |publisher=West Midlands Police Federation |access-date=15 December 2012}}</ref>

Police officers are restricted by their regulations from [[strike action|striking]] and from taking part in active politics, hence the Federation represents their interests and negotiates on their behalf in relation to pay, conditions and pensions.

The Federation is funded by a monthly subscription paid from officers' salaries and provides representation and advice to officers who are subject to disciplinary processes.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.westmidspolfed.com/media/downloads/working-for-you-2013.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160601113115/http://www.westmidspolfed.com/media/downloads/working-for-you-2013.pdf |url-status=usurped |archive-date=1 June 2016 |title=Working for You |publisher=West Midlands Police Federation |access-date=15 December 2012}}</ref>

==West Midlands Police Benevolent Fund==

The West Midlands Police Benevolent Fund was set up in 1974 following the amalgamation of local forces to form West Midlands Police. The fund is financed by subscriptions from members and donations and monies are distributed on application to the committee to members suffering financial hardship.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wmpben.co.uk |title=West Midlands Police Benevolent Fund Homepage |publisher=West Midlands Police Benevolent Fund |access-date=8 January 2012}}</ref>

==Officers killed in the line of duty==
[[File:PC Malcolm Walker memorial - 1.jpg|thumb|alt= "a piece of brown marble inscribed: 'Here fell PC Malcolm Walker 4th October 2001 West Midlands Police', with a black stone base" | Memorial to PC Malcolm Walker at [[Perry Barr]] ]]
{{See also|List of British police officers killed in the line of duty}}
The [[Police Roll of Honour Trust]] and [[Police Memorial Trust]] list and commemorate all British police officers killed in the line of duty. Since its establishment in 1984, the Police Memorial Trust has erected 50 memorials nationally to some of those officers.

The following officers of West Midlands Police are listed by the trust as having died attempting to prevent, stop or solve a crime:<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.policememorial.org.uk/index.php?page=west-midlands-police#West%20Midlands%20Pol |title=West Midlands Police Role of Honour |publisher=Police Roll of Honour Trust |access-date=15 December 2012}}</ref>

* {{Timeline-event|date=1975|event= PC David Christopher Green. Fatally stabbed during an arrest}}
* {{Timeline-event|date=1984|event= PC Andrew Stephen Le Comte. Fell from a roof while searching for suspects}}
* {{Timeline-event|date=1984|event= PC Colin John Hall. Collapsed attending a disturbance and died}}
* {{Timeline-event|date=1988|event= PC Gavin Richard Carlton. Shot by armed robber during a police pursuit}}
* {{Timeline-event|date=1989|event= PC Anthony John Salt. Fatally injured by falling on a mechanical digger after getting drunk on duty<ref>{{Cite news|title=Queen's 'Hero' cop was drunk on duty: Disgraced officer honoured in the Mall|last=Bassey|first=Amardeep|work=[[Sunday Mercury]]|location=Birmingham|date=8 May 2005|page=3|id=[[ProQuest]]document ID 322280782|url=https://www.thefreelibrary.com/QUEEN'S+%60HERO'+COP+WAS+DRUNK+ON+DUTY%3B+EXCLUSIVE%3A+Disgraced+officer...-a0132223750 |access-date=13 February 2017}} Regarding Salt's inclusion in the roll of honour, Sir Geoffrey Dear, West Midlands Chief Constable at the time of PC Salt's death said "Technically, he was on duty albeit in unusual circumstances and he was acting in a way that was not in the best interests of the force." Three black men who were arrested and charged with his killing were eventually cleared of all charges and awarded £100,000 compensation in an out-of-court settlement with the force.</ref><ref>{{cite hansard | house=House of Commons | url=http://www.parliament.the-stationery-office.co.uk/pa/cm199192/cmhansrd/1991-12-12/Debate-18.html | date = 12 December 1991 | column_start = 1221 | column_end = 1226 |title=House of Commons Hansard Debates for 12 December 1991 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20121224103002/http://www.parliament.the-stationery-office.co.uk/pa/cm199192/cmhansrd/1991-12-12/Debate-18.html |archive-date=24 December 2012 |access-date=13 February 2017}}</ref>}}
* {{Timeline-event|date=2001|event= PC Malcolm Edward Walker. Fatally injured when his motorcycle was struck during a police pursuit}}
* {{Timeline-event|date=2004|event= DC [[Death of Michael Swindells|Michael Swindells]]. Fatally stabbed; posthumously awarded [[Queen's Gallantry Medal]]}}<ref>{{cite news|title=Dc Michael Swindells' killer was 'let down by NHS' – inquiry|url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/local-news/dc-michael-swindells-killer-was-let-102682|newspaper=[[Birmingham Mail]]|date=11 September 2009|access-date=3 September 2021}}</ref>

==Notable incidents and investigations==

* {{Timeline-event|date={{Start date|1974|11|21|df=y}}|event= [[Birmingham Pub Bombings]]: twenty-one people killed and one hundred and eighty two injured after devices exploded in the Mulberry Bush and Tavern in the Town pubs in Birmingham City Centre. Investigation by the West Midlands Serious Crimes Squad; [[Birmingham Six|six convicted]] but later compensated for wrongful imprisonment.}}
* {{Timeline-event|date={{Start date|1978|10|19|df=y}}|event= [[Bridgewater Four|murder of Carl Bridgewater]]: investigation by the West Midlands Serious Crimes Squad; four convicted but later released and compensated for wrongful imprisonment.}}
* {{Timeline-event|date=1989|event= review of [[South Yorkshire Police]] following the [[Hillsborough Disaster]]: force called in to investigate [[South Yorkshire Police|South Yorkshire]] officers' conduct after the 1989 stadium crush. West Midlands discovered that South Yorkshire Police had altered 164 witness statements and alleged that they pressured and bullied witnesses to change their statements about the disaster.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-19583529 |title=Hillsborough papers: West Midlands Police 'knew of statements changes' |work=BBC News |access-date=23 October 2019}}</ref>}} 
* July 1996: [[Wolverhampton machete attack]]. 
* {{Timeline-event|date={{Start date|2003|01|02|df=y}}|event= [[murder of Letisha Shakespeare and Charlene Ellis]] in a gang-related drive-by machine-gunning.}}
* {{Timeline-event|date={{Start date|2005|07|28|df=y}}|event= [[2005 Birmingham tornado|Birmingham tornado]]: officers involved in rescue and recovery operation following a tornado touching down in [[Sparkbrook]].}}
* {{Timeline-event|date={{Start date|2005|10|22|df=y}} – {{End date|2005|10|23|df=y}}|event= [[2005 Birmingham riots|Handsworth riots]]: race riots in [[Handsworth, West Midlands|Handsworth]] and [[Lozells]] on two consecutive nights, following rumours of an alleged [[gang rape]] of a teenage black girl by a group of South Asian men.}} One member of the public died as a result of stab wounds and a police officer was shot and wounded.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2005/oct/24/race.ukcrime |title=A rumour, outrage and then a riot. How tension in a Birmingham suburb erupted |newspaper=The Guardian |access-date=23 October 2019}}</ref>
* {{Timeline-event|date=2007|event= [[Operation Gamble]]: a plot by British Pakistanis in Birmingham to kidnap and behead a British Muslim soldier. Eight homes and four businesses were raided after an investigation involving intelligence services and other police forces. The investigation led to nine arrests; six were charged.}}
* {{Timeline-event|date=2010|event= [[Pope Benedict XVI's visit to the United Kingdom|Papal visit to the United Kingdom]]: large policing operation to assist with security measures during Pope Benedict XVI's visit to the United Kingdom, which included a Mass of [[Beatification]] in [[Cofton Park]] and dinner at [[St Mary's College, Oscott|St Mary's College]], [[Sutton Coldfield]].}}
* {{Timeline-event|date={{Start date|2011|08|06|df=y}} – {{End date|2011|08|10|df=y}}|event= [[2011 England Riots|England riots]]: large-scale disorder across England affecting the centres of Birmingham, Wolverhampton and West Bromwich, following the [[death of Mark Duggan]].}}
* {{Timeline-event|date=2012|event= [[2012 Olympic Games|London Olympic Games]]: officers from across the West Midlands were involved in policing events in the region and were deployed on [[Mutual aid (emergency services)|mutual aid]] to help other forces.}}
* April–July 2013: [[Pavlo Lapshyn|attempted Mosque bombings and murder of Mohammed Saleem]].
* May 2018 – March 2020: [[Birmingham bathing cult]].
* 17 June 2020 – 4 December 2021: [[murder of Arthur Labinjo-Hughes]].
* 28 July – 8 August 2022: policing the [[2022 Commonwealth Games|XXII Commonwealth Games]].

==See also==
{{Commons category|West Midlands Police}}
*[[Law enforcement in the United Kingdom]]
*[[List of law enforcement agencies in the United Kingdom]]
*[[Table of police forces in the United Kingdom]]
*[[West Midlands Fire Service]]
*[[West Midlands Ambulance Service]]

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

==Further reading==
* M. Talbot, ''A Peeler in the Family'', 2011.
* M. Talbot, ''Birmingham City Police (1939–1945)'', 2012.
* J. Klein, ''Invisible Men: The Daily Lives of Police Constable in Manchester, Birmingham and Liverpool'', Liverpool University Press, 2010.
* J. Reilly, ''Policing Birmingham: An Account of 150 Years of Police in Birmingham'', West Midlands Police, 1989.
* P. Browning, ''The Good Guys Wear Blue: One Mans Struggle Policing the Tough Streets of Coventry'', Reality Press Ltd, 2007.

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
*{{Official website}}
* [https://www.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmicfrs/police-forces/west-midlands West Midlands Police] at [[HMICFRS]]

{{UK home nations police forces}}
{{UK policing units}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:West Midlands Police| ]]
[[Category:Organisations based in the West Midlands (county)|Police]]
[[Category:Police forces of England]]
[[Category:1974 establishments in England]]
[[Category:Government agencies established in 1974]]