Sergeants’ conference: Should there be direct entry?

THE police service can “grow its own talent” and there is no need for direct entry into management roles, the Police Federation conference heard this week.

John Giblin, chairman of the Federation’s Sergeants’ Central Committee, (pictured) said the service was under “continued attack from the Government.” He was responding to Police Minister Damian Green, who had earlier stated that every “sensible officer” would support direct entry.

Home Office police service strength figures show there were 21,371 Sergeants last year. Down from 22,265 in 2011.

Numbers are likely to have fallen further in 2013 when the figures are released this summer.

Mr Giblin said: “Our numbers are decreasing significantly and those that are left are being overstretched to breaking point.

“Our numbers are falling but the job is still there to be done and we are expected to provide the same level of service. Something has to give and there will be consequences to this.”

He added: “Some senior officers of the future will never have served their apprenticeship and mastered the craft of policing on the beat. We have lots of talent within the service and can grow our own. We don’t need to look outside the service.”

Gwent Police and Crime Commissioner Ian Johnston – former president of the Police Superintendents’ Association of England and Wales – stated at the Inspectors’ Central Committee conference, that direct entry into the police service would be “complete bonkers”.

Mr Green stated: “We are reforming the police because reform is needed. This is as much about public perceptions as it is about the public purse.

“Yes, the state of the country’s finances demands that all public services play their part in saving money. But these reforms are about something much deeper and more long-lasting than just cutting costs.

“They are about creating a more modern police service, more in touch with the people it serves, more transparent in its work, more flexible in its approach, and more suited to the demands of the 21st Century.”

He added: “I know also that change can be tough. But police officers across the country are rising to the challenge. Crime has fallen by more than 10 per cent since this government came to power and that is a tremendous testament to the skill and dedication of our police officers.

“Introducing direct entry to policing will bring in new blood and new expertise and help to deliver a police force more representative of the communities it serves. That aim will be supported by every sensible police officer.”

Addressing the conference, which took time to remember former Police Federation – and sergeants’ committee – chairman Paul McKeever, Mr Giblin concluded that it was “imperative” that anger in the police service was not turned inward.

“Our motto should be united we stand and divided we fall.”