David Ruffley MP will be discussing policing issues in Suffolk with Simon Ash, Suffolk Constabulary Chief Constable, County Councillor Joanna Spicer, Chairman of Suffolk Police Authority, and Dr Daniel Poulter, MP at Martlesham Heath Police HQ.

Among general issues relating to police pensions, rural policing and crime levels David Ruffley MP will be putting the following questions to the Chief Constable:

What is Suffolk Constabulary's overtime bill compared with the national average?

What methods have been adopted and considered by Suffolk Constabulary to drive down costs, such as reviewing shift patterns, outsourcing and sharing service centres with other police forces?

A sworn police officer is, on average, 60% more expensive than the mean civilian staff employee. What steps will the Chief Constable be taking to ensure that police officers are not used in backroom roles where a cheaper civilian employee would be more appropriate?

Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary ('HMIC') found that on average only 12% of British Police are on the beat at any one time. Is this true of Suffolk Constabulary?

HMIC found that on average there are more police officers available on a Monday morning than there are on a Friday night. Is this true of Suffolk Constabulary?

The Winsor Review found that only 57% of police officers regularly work unsociable hours. Is this true of Suffolk Constabulary?

From 2009- 2010 the UK average number of contract police hours lost to sickness per police officer each year was 61. How does Suffolk Constabulary compare to the national average?

According to the Winsor Review, all chief officers are eligible for non-pensionable bonus payments of up to 15% of their basic pay. In light of the Government cuts, will the chief officers of Suffolk Constabulary be taking bonuses in the next five years?

The Policy Exchange's Cost of the Cops report found that the UK detection rate of crime (despite the £5 billion increase in police expenditure in nominal terms over the 1995- 2011 period) has only risen from 24.4% in 2001 to 27.9% in 2010. What steps is Suffolk Constabulary taking to increase the detection rate of crime?

How many full time

o a. Police Officers and PCSOs and

o b. Civilian Staff

were employed by Suffolk Constabulary in each of the last three years? What will the figures be for the coming financial year?

What were the overheads for Suffolk Constabulary for each of the last three financial years? And what are the projected overheads for the next financial year?