Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further the Written Answer by Lord Sharpe of Epsom on 7 February (HL5017), whether they have made a specific assessment of the impact of the leadership training provided to all senior police officers by the College of Policing over the past decade; if so, whether that assessment concluded that the training had (1) been successful, and (2) delivered public confidence in the senior ranks of the police; and if they have made no such assessment, whether they will undertake one.

This Government is committed to ensuring strong leadership at all levels in policing and is driving forward improvements to ensure consistent and high standards in leadership training.

I am pleased to say that the College of Policing has recently completed a full independent review of progression and development to chief officer ranks (2022) and has developed proposals for fundamental change to the current system, which are currently being implemented. This, alongside the National Centre for Police Leadership, has introduced a focus on developing all officers as leaders alongside faster time work to ensure that current chief officer vacancies can be filled. The College has a clear plan for a complete reform of senior leadership development, to improve standards and leadership at all levels in policing.

This work will implement a nationally consistent approach to police leadership for the first time, following previous work by the College and Chief Constables to address issues and concerns identified across various reviews. These include: Front Line Review (2018), His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) reports including a leadership thematic in 2019, and the College of Policing Leadership Review (2015). In particular, HMICFRS’ ‘Leading Lights’ Report found that a lack of consistency, fairness and transparency is having a detrimental effect on police forces’ ability to identify and support those with the most potential to become chief officers. The Fundamental Review of the College of Policing (2022) established improving leadership in policing as one of the College’s three key priorities and a new National Centre for Police Leadership is being created.