CHIEF Constable Steve Pilkington wants the public to write to or e-mail him with ways to spend a £495,000 Government cash boost.
The money is a share of a £1.5 million handout to 30 police forces to help them meet the special needs of rural policing. It was allocated on the basis of how rural the areas they serve are.
Avon and Somerset Constabulary is one of the largest forces in England and Wales, covering 1,855 square miles with a population of just under 1.5 million.
It currently has 2,954 police offices, although this will be boosted by 195 over the next three years.
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NHS health checks on offer for free through Porlock Community Library Mr Pilkington said: "Policing a force with an area as diverse as ours obviously presents special problems and this money will go some way in helping solve them.
"Although the benefits of geographic policing are now becoming evident, I can fully understand why people living in rural areas sometimes consider the service and police resources they receive are not the same as in our cities and towns.
"But it is not just a matter of more police officers and I very much want to hear from people how they would like to see us spend this money.
"The main thing is to ensure that it is used for the maximum benefit of our communities."
People living in Avon and Somerset are asked to write to Chief Constable Steve Pilkington PO Box 37, Valley Road, Portishead, Bristol BS20 8QJ.
Or, they may drop their views, clearly marked for the chief constable's attention, in to their local police station - or use a special link on the force web site at http://www.avsom.police.uk">www.avsom.police.uk. Any ideas are needed by September 16.