Staffordshire Police Federation chair Lee Robinson called on police chiefs to ensure training standards are being raised as he voiced concerns over a new non-degree entry route.
Lee fears proposals from the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) and the College of Policing will create a two-tier system and undermine and weaken standards.
He is the latest voice in policing to join the chorus of opposition to the plans for the introduction of a Level 5 learning programme – equivalent to a diploma of higher education (DipHE).
Instead, he said the non-degree route should be accredited to educational Level 6 to maintain standards.
Lee said: “I’m all in favour of a non-degree route into policing - it certainly opens it up as a career for people who may otherwise have been put off by the degree route.
“However, we’re opposed to any new entry route into policing having a lower education level. We should be raising standards to help improve the public’s confidence and trust, not weakening them.
“That was spelt out in the Casey Report but putting a non-degree route at Level 5 on a par with the Level 6 programme would appear to go against that review.
“And how would having two systems affect those officers educated to the lower level? Would their future career opportunities and pay be impacted?
“This needs revisiting to ensure we’re not weakening standards at a time when they should be being raised.
"It is important to me and us as a Federation that policing remains open to all as a career in order for us to be truly representative of the communities we serve.
"Professional development including working towards a degree (or higher) is welcomed once new officers are here, but it shouldn’t be a requirement on new starters.
The new Level 5 (non-accredited) learning programme is being made available for forces as soon as possible, but not later than 1 April 2024.
A number of forces are yet to engage with education partners about the impact of new standards and learning on existing Level 6 contractual obligations and await the College of Policing’s further implementation guidance and the design of associated curricula.
The Police Federation for England Wales said it was awaiting the equality impact assessment of the decision to introduce the non-degree entry route supporting Level 5 qualification but, in the meantime, urged the NPCC and the college to ensure any change in the policy ensures that the standards defining competence in the police constable role remain the same irrespective of the entry routes.
Lee’s comments were echoed by Paul Matthews, Police Federation national board member and professional development lead.
He said: “When the Home Secretary, Suella Braverman, announced her plans for a new entry route last November, she did not envisage any reduction in the current learning standards.
“In fact, she stated that any new entry route would ‘deliver officers of the highest calibre, which would complement the existing framework’.
“This proposed fourth route does not deliver what the Home Secretary stated. Instead, it opens the door for some officers to be trained to a lower standard than others.”
