Home Secretary calls for ‘culture change’ in policing

THE Home Secretary has called for a “culture change” that will lead to a more professional police service across all ranks and roles.

The move will empower lower ranking officers to be able to challenge their leaders when needed, Amber Rudd told police chiefs at their annual conference in Westminster.

She told the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners and National Police Chiefs’ Council Partnership Summit: “While we want new, bright, ambitious people to join the police, I am also clear that we already have incredibly talented people working in all areas of policing. These people need the right support and development to reach their potential, deliver the very best for the public and continue to cut crime.

“Which is why I want to see greater professionalism across all ranks and roles. A culture change. This means I want officers and staff to feel confident about challenging their superiors. And those leaders being challenged need to be open to it in order to ensure the best decisions are truly made.”

She added that great progress is being made by the College of Policing to establish a system that will ensure officers have a licence to practise in certain areas, including working with the most vulnerable.

She said: “Let me be crystal clear: for me as Home Secretary, protecting the vulnerable is a personal priority and I want this to be a priority for you too.”

However, Ms Rudd said that the rate of police reform must speed up, telling chiefs that there should be more emphasis on direct entry.

Six people passed the superintendent assessment centre in the summer but have not been offered jobs. “That is policing’s loss,” she said.

She added: “The Home Office does not run policing – you do and it is time for you to put your foot on the gas. It is up to you, working together in the interests of policing as a whole, to decide where reform is needed.

“There is money available in the police transformation fund for projects that will drive the transformation of policing in England and Wales. In August I awarded £23 million to projects and I will announce further awards from round two soon. We want bids about how to genuinely reform the police.”