Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether he has had recent discussions with the College of Policing on the reinstatement of direct entry routes to (a) inspector and (b) superintendent.

This Government is committed to ensuring a high standard of leadership across policing.

As part of its important work to develop the National Centre for Police Leadership, the College of Policing remains committed to exploring options for a viable and sustainable delivery model for Direct Entry pathways in the future, if there is clear demand from forces. Following further consultation with the sector last year, it was clear that demand was not sufficient to run a recalibrated programme at either inspector or superintendent rank at the present time.

To ensure a strong pipeline of leaders at all levels, the College launched new national leadership standards for every level in policing earlier this year. It is now rolling out a new national talent management strategy for policing, including a new two-year development programme to enable the most talented serving police inspectors to advance more quickly to superintendent rank.