‘The culture must change’: Police leadership facing major review after series of scandals
The government has announced police chiefs will be scrutinized in a once-in-a-generation review of how the force is run, after a series of scandals damaged public trust.
Lord David Blunkett, the former home secretary appointed to chair the review, said there was growing evidence that the force’s “culture needs to change”. His team will publish a major White Paper on police reform towards the end of this year.
The Police Leadership Commission’s announcement comes after the policing profession has been mired in controversy in recent years, including a recent undercover investigation that caught Metropolitan Police officers calling for immigrants to be shot at Charing Cross police station.
The damning footage has raised new questions about culture and standards at Britain’s largest police force; Police officers were seen making sexually explicit comments, appearing to deny a rape complaint, and bragging about their use of force on detainees.
Corruption and standards in the police have been under the spotlight since Met officer Wayne Couzens used his warrant card to kidnap, rape and murder 33-year-old Sarah Everard in 2021.
A damning investigation last year found there was nothing to stop another Couzen hiding openly in the police ranks and warned he should never have been cleared to become a police officer. Lady Elish Angiolini’s inquiry called for a radical overhaul of police investigations and recruitment after finding repeated failures to detect red flags.
While Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Constabulary Sir Andy Cooke’s latest annual review of the efficiency and effectiveness of the force underlines the importance of good leadership, a series of recent damaging incidents have also shaken public trust.
The new commission, set up by the Police Faculty with support from the Home Office, will create a “police leadership plan” to boost confidence and tackle high police officer turnover.
It comes after former Northamptonshire Police chief Nick Adderley was charged yesterday with fraud and misconduct in public office after allegedly lying about his military service. He will appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on November 10.
Lord Blunkett said: “Policing works when communities believe that police actions are fair and just. When that trust is eroded, the entire system is at risk.”
“Public institutions are facing declining trust around the world and policing is not immune. There is mounting evidence that the culture needs to change.
“Digital crime is becoming more sophisticated every day, and violence against women and girls continues at alarming levels.
“These challenges require extraordinary leadership at all levels and the Police Leadership Commission will examine what policing requires to ensure the service is equal to the demands of the future.
“Ensuring we can recruit, train and retain exceptional police leaders at all levels has never been more important.
“The commission will aim to deliver a plan for police leadership that will help ensure this vital public service is up to par with the demands of the future, reducing crime and keeping the public safe.”
Members of the commission include former New York City Police chief Bill Bratton and Maj. Gen. Nick Cowley, Commandant of the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.
They will also examine current entry routes into policing and consider potential alternative models to attract, accelerate and develop talent. It will also review the impact of police reforms to date and assess the balance between national and local programmes.
Policing minister Sarah Jones added: “Leaders at all levels of policing shape the culture of their workforce. They set expectations for all officers and staff to follow; when standards fall, trust in the police falls.
“As we embark on our ambitious plan to reform policing, we will ensure forces have the leadership they need to tackle crime, protect communities and keep people safe. This review will be vital to that.”
