Police Leadership Commission Report

Debate between Lord Mackenzie of Framwellgate and Lord Katz

Wednesday 8th July 2026 Lords Chamber

[Lord Mackenzie of Framwellgate (Non-Afl)]

My Lords, I declare my interest as a former president of the Police Superintendents’ Association of England and Wales and as someone who submitted evidence to the police leadership commission chaired by the noble Lords, Lord Blunkett and Lord Herbert, who I see are in their places.

Having served for 35 years in both uniform and the CID, I want to say that the report is a major piece of work on the leadership of the police in England and Wales, and I congratulate both noble Lords on its content and its clarity. It recommends major changes throughout the service and builds on the proposed creation of a national police service, the NPS, which should take a lead role in promoting ethical and inclusive policing and be responsible for building a community of good practice across the country.

I have served under both excellent leadership and bad. The report tackles the problems, which are identified as poor training and supervision, a lack of resources and the culture of leadership across the service. The surprise is that the police service continues to deliver—remarkably, every day—to protect the public 24/7. You have only to witness the annual police bravery awards to witness this all the time.

Like the armed services, the police are legally prevented from taking strike action, which was last witnessed in England in 1919. We have witnessed major problems in recruitment and vetting following the slashing of 3,000 officers a few years ago. That was followed by the murder of Sarah Everard by PC Wayne Couzens and the conviction of serial rapist David Carrick, both in the Metropolitan Police. As a result, the commission’s report recommends a root and branch modernisation of police recruitment and training, development, promotion, monitoring and appraisal. Scotland Yard is known throughout the world—

[Lord in Waiting/Government Whip (Lord Katz) (Lab)]

My Lords, I ask my noble friend if he could bring his comments, interesting though they are, to a conclusion with a question.

[Lord Mackenzie of Framwellgate (Non-Afl)]

I support the provision dealing with senior constables, and I wish the implementation of the commission’s report every success.