Staffordshire Police Federation has welcomed an admission by the College of Policing that it is regarded as “remote” and “failing to live up to its potential”.
A decade ago, it was established by the then policing minister Nick Herbert, who has since taken the reins as College of Policing chair and ordered the review into how it is perceived in the policing world, and its effectiveness.
The key findings in the review, which was published this month, were:
- The college has not fully delivered on the expectations of officers, staff and the public have of policing’s professional body
- Many on the frontline are not fully aware of what the college does
- It is seen as remote and as serving only policing leaders and academics
However, there was universal agreement of the need for a strong college that plays a central role in the policing landscape.
Mr Herbert admitted, in a foreword to the review: “After extensive consultation, the feedback was stark. The college was seen as too remote from the [police] service and of insufficient utility to frontline officers. Change is clearly needed.
“The service faces many challenges, from its relationship with black communities and its ability to protect women, to the need to respond to ever-changing crime threats. The culture within policing is under the microscope, with serious questions being asked about leadership and professionalism.”
Phil Jones, chair of Staffordshire Police Federation, commented: “These findings will make uncomfortable reading for the college, but it is also an opportunity to draw a line under the past and to rebuild the college into the organisation that all of us in policing need it to be.
“Our colleagues are under the microscope as never before, and if something goes wrong the consequences can be serious. So, it is vitally important that they have access to the best and most informed training that is underpinned by good data.
“We wish the college well in the vital reforms they are making, because their success is ultimately ours also.”
The review identified three key strategic priorities for the college:
- Boosting professionalism by equipping officers and staff with the skills they need and access to CPD
- Creating a culture of inclusive, data-driven leadership, and
- Driving consistency across the 43 forces.
