College of Policing review must result in more relevance for frontline officers

A REVIEW into the College of Policing must result in it being more relevant for officers out on the frontline.

South Yorkshire Police Federation said it was backing change at the much-maligned college and suggested it needs to take a ‘step back’ from politics and focus instead on rank and file officers.

It’s recently been announced that the PFEW will be playing a role in the review with ‘bold and brave’ reforms promised by Chair John Apter.

He wants to see the college become more meaningful and have a positive impact on the day to day role of officers.

It’s a view echoed by South Yorkshire Police Federation Chair Steve Kent.

“I think the College of Policing needs to take a step back from the politics involved, and it needs to focus on more of the root causes and issues within policing,” he said.

“It’s a positive step that the national Federation is going to help with the review.

“We need to move forward and change it. But it’s like we say with the IOPC that there needs to be a reform of it, making it more relevant.”

Taking a more practical approach to police officers’ roles rather than focusing on qualifications would be a good place to start, Steve said.

“Policing isn’t necessarily about academic qualifications; it’s about life skills and other skills which can’t be quantified and dealt with by qualifications – the college needs to become
relevant.”