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Home Secretary welcomes the College of Policing's review to improve police leadership.

Home Secretary Theresa May yesterday welcomed the College of Policing’s interim Leadership Review, which sets the course for further reforms to tackle the challenges and culture of policing.

Announced by the Home Secretary in July, the interim review looks at ways to open up the senior ranks to candidates from different backgrounds and encourage officers to gain experience outside policing. It builds on schemes introduced or supported by this government to bring fresh blood and new perspective into policing, such as Direct Entry and Police Now.

The review makes ten recommendations to improve police leadership. These include implementing a culture of challenge at the top of forces, introducing career flexibility, embedding the Code of Ethics in selection processes and reviewing police powers in some roles so they do not block police staff appointments.

It follows earlier reforms led by the College of Policing, including the implementation of the Code of Ethics and the introduction of direct entry, which have encouraged applications from those who would not normally consider a career in policing, such as people from ethnic minority communities.

A series of additional exploratory reports, which were published by the College yesterday, focussed on the effect of senior leadership on ethical frontline behaviour, understanding chief officer misconduct, the impact of organisational justice and an assessment into promoting ethical behaviour and preventing wrongdoing in organisations.

Home Secretary Theresa May said:

This review shows the College hitting its stride as the professional voice of policing – and provides a foundation for developing radical and innovative ideas for police leadership.

We need to open up police ranks with flexible entry and exit paths, encourage diversity of experience and backgrounds amongst police leaders and develop a culture of challenge, particularly in the senior ranks.

I am particularly keen that the positive impact of Direct Entry and Police Now continue. As well as valuing and developing existing police leaders, it is essential to go further and faster in encouraging more people from a range of backgrounds into the police where they can bring a fresh perspective and new ideas.

I am grateful to the College of Policing for publishing this report and will consider the contents carefully.”