The troubled landscape of policing in England and Wales has been a persistent concern for communities across the country. According to former Labour Home Secretary Lord Blunkett, the leadership of police forces requires an urgent "ethical reset" to address substantial weaknesses in morale, culture, and overall performance. This stark assessment comes ahead of the release of a significant report co-authored by Lord Blunkett, which highlights a culture of risk aversion and negativity that is demotivating officers.
The comprehensive review, conducted in collaboration with former Conservative policing minister Lord Herbert for the College of Policing, aims to modernise how officers are recruited, developed, and monitored. This call for radical change follows a period of declining public confidence in policing and an evolving threat landscape, prompting the College of Policing to commission the review to ensure the service meets government targets and public expectations.
A concerning trend emerges from the review's findings: none of England and Wales' 43 police forces received an "outstanding" grade for leadership in the most recent inspection round. Almost a third were rated as needing improvement, while two were deemed inadequate. Furthermore, eight former or serving chief constables are currently under disciplinary action or awaiting results.
The report's authors pinpoint various factors contributing to the current issues, including resource shortages, administrative burdens, and a pervasive culture of negativity that discourages officers from performing their duties effectively. These challenges collectively contribute to the perception that a new ethical framework is essential to restore trust and effectiveness within the service.
Addressing the contentious issue of "two-tier policing", Lord Blunkett acknowledged a shift in public perception, with some perceiving policing as "woke". However, he clarified that the report unequivocally rejects engaging in "culture wars" or debating policing styles. Rather, it asserts that the police's role is to provide impartial service to all citizens without taking sides.