Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the quality of leadership in the police service, especially at senior ranks.

The Government has been clear that strong leadership at all ranks is essential to ensure a positive culture and rigorous standards in policing. Failures of integrity within policing impact on public confidence and recent revelations rightly raise questions about the quality and standards of leadership in the police. We will continue pushing for improvements in standards, expectations, and outcomes for policing, but the drive must also come from within forces.

We have invested £3.35m from 2021 to 2023 for the College of Policing to create a National Leadership Centre. As part of this, the College is now in the process of setting and rolling out national leadership standards at key levels in the police service and providing leadership development programmes aligned to these standards.

We also welcome the College’s proposals for fundamental change to the current system of chief officer selection and development, following a full independent review. These measures are currently being implemented and will increase transparency and open up access to senior level development.