APACE PATS Seminar6th October 2010Police Reform Update

Stephen Rimmer Director GeneralCrime and Policing GroupStephen.rimmer@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk020 7035 1440

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Ministerial Direction

“The Government’s proposed policing reforms…will deliver a more responsive and efficient police service, less encumbered by bureaucracy, more accountable to the public, and, most importantly, better equipped to fight crime.”

“Central to those reforms is the idea that we want to get rid of the inefficient and ineffective processes of bureaucratic accountability where power rests with Whitehall civil servants and replace it with direct democratic accountability with power…in the hands of the people”Home Secretary, Opposition day debate on crime and policing (8 September 2010)

“The new era demands wise spending and reform. So later this year we will introduce legislation for an overhaul of policing…”

“We will replace weak and invisible police authorities with directly elected police and crime commissioners to hold the 43 forces in England and Wales to account. …the new commissioners will have a powerful local mandate to set strategic priorities, driving the fight against crime and antisocial behaviour.”Minister for Policing and Criminal Justice, Sunday Times (3 October 2010)

The police are accountable to Whitehall and not the public

Only 7% of the public knew to go to their police authority if they had a problem with policing. (Cabinet Office, 2007)

Police professionals are disempowered

Last year 52 guidance documents were issued, a further 60 planned, average length 100 pages, 4,000 new commitments in total.

The police are not visible or available

Due to bureaucracy and prescription, only 11% of police officers are available to the public at any one time. (HMIC, 2010)

There will be less resources

Spending on police has increased by 24% in real terms since 2000/01. This cannot continue: CSR will require very substantial savings/the public will continue to demand good quality policing

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The challenge

Policy Overview

A new approach Policing in the 21st Century: Reconnecting Police and the People

Replacing ‘bureaucratic accountability’ in policing with ‘democratic accountability’ Police and Crime Commissioners

A new national framework for efficient and effective policing Introduction of National Crime Agency Review of Remuneration and Conditions of service

Stripping away unnecessary prescription and bureaucracy Common sense approach to health and safety (Lord Young review) Removing regulation around Community Safety Partnerships Removing Government targets and centralised performance management Promoting greater professional judgement

Enabling and encouraging people to get involved Crime mapping Neighbourhood Watch, community crime fighters, special constables, street patrols, ‘101’,

restorative justice, participatory budgeting Nick Herbert is leading work on additional strengthening of community links through police

reserve officers and more emphasis on specials and volunteers2

Policy Overview: Democratic Accountability

Responsible for:Representing the community and identifying their needsSetting force priorities that reflect those needs (policing plan)Holding the Chief Constable to account for achieving those prioritiesSetting force budget and preceptAppointing – and where necessary, removing - the Chief Constable

Strict checks and balances:The ballot boxPolice and Crime Panels: local Government and independent scrutinyNeighbourhood beat meetingsTransparency of informationHMIC to ‘shine a light’ on performanceNational retained powersComplaints and recall – role for IPCC

Police and Crime Commissioners

First Police and Crime Commissioners to be elected in May 2012 and will replace police authorities

At force level, responsible for the whole of the force activity with a duty to collaborate and work with community safety and Criminal Justice agencies

Elected for four years, maximum two terms, preferential voting system favoured

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Some Key Issues

♦ Managing the transition / Pace of implementation

♦ PCCs and PCPs….

♦ Local, collaborative/regional and national

♦ Operational capabilities to take cost out and deliver VfM