The metropolitan county of West Yorkshire is policed by a very committed law enforcement body. Throughout its service timeline, West Yorkshire Police has shown dedication and competence in protecting its local community. This is clearly seen in such undertakings as Operation Northdale, for which West Yorkshire Police was awarded the National Excellence Award in 2010. Following from this, the force continues to provide the best possible service to West Yorkshire County.
West Yorkshire Police has a quite an interesting history. Established as a means to address the rising crime rate during the early 1970s, it inherited the police forces and areas of the old West Yorkshire Constabulary as well as those of the City of Leeds and Bradford. As such, the force also inherited the rich history associated with policing West Yorkshire County which saw the first female police officer in 1918, the first Standard 9 patrol car in 1928, and other pioneering feats such as the first use of short-wave radio. The force also has had its share of notable criminal cases including the serial murders of the Yorkshire Ripper in the late 1970s to early 1980s, the case of murdered David Bieber in 2003, and major riots among others.
West Yorkshire Police has been in service for more than three decades since 1974. It is responsible for law enforcement in an area of about 780 square miles with around 2.1 million individuals in one of five metropolitan districts. The area is patrolled by approximately 5,000 officers supported by 3,500 staff personnel, making West Yorkshire Police the fourth largest in England and Wales. The force serves a county with a very colourful profile with environments ranging from cities to towns with equally diverse demographics. Accordingly, policing tasks within the county are delegated into efficient units like the Neighbourhood Policing Teams (NPTs) for optimal use of resources.
The force’s dedication extends into many aspects of policing. These include commitment to fair treatment, access to information, availability of NPTs, rapid response to urgent situations, and action when needed. With these ideals, West Yorkshire can expect service of the highest quality from West Yorkshire Police.
