EIGHTY senior police officers and managers are set to experience life on the frontline when they spent a day walking in the shoes of their colleagues tomorrow, Friday.

From the chief constable to the head of legal services, top staff within the force will go back to the floor to see the challenges officers face.

This is the third time the project will have taken place but it is the first time colleagues from partner agencies will take part.

Chief constable Simon Byrne said: “I really value the work our officers and staff do on a daily basis and frequently spend time on patrol but it’s important that other senior offices and managers also have the opportunity to do the same.

"Back to the Floor provides an opportunity to spend a day in the shoes of a frontline officer or manager, gaining an understanding of the work that is being undertaken and engaging with the local community.

“You can’t lead a police force from behind your desk - policing is continually developing and we need to have a full understanding of the way the organisation works to allow us to move forward and be innovative.

“After the first event last year I said this was not a gimmick or a flash in the pan and that we would run this initiative again to keep the momentum going. I’m pleased to see that each time it has grown bigger and more people have got involved.

"It’s also great that this time round we have invited some of our partners to work alongside officers for the day helping to provide them with a better understanding of the delivery of front-line policing and the way their agency contributes to that.”

Police and crime commissioner for Cheshire David Keane added: “It is a fantastic opportunity to see the work that officers and staff are doing out on the frontline and, just as important, the staff who support them.”