Rethinking Police Leadership And Promotion

The police promotion process should be re-examined, with true talent being identified and nurtured, South Yorkshire Police Federation has said, as a new leadership commission is launched.

The College of Policing is launching the new police leadership commission with the support of the Home Office. The commission will conduct a comprehensive review of police leadership at all levels to ensure policing can respond to evolving threats and challenges and meet public expectations. Among the commission’s aims are to examine the current entry routes into policing and consider potential alternative models to attract, fast-track, and develop the brightest talent.

Steve Kent, Chair of South Yorkshire Police Federation, said: “This commission is needed, but I’m a bit concerned about where it’s going to end up. It’s probably going to go around in circles and need external people to come in and give their expertise, which I don’t agree with. There’s a place for that, but I think people need to learn the hands-on, unique experience of policing to be in a position to govern and manage it.

“One of the issues that needs to be dealt with is the promotion system we have in our force and I’m sure a lot of forces across the country – a system that promotes people on the basis of their ability to pass a test rather their ability to manage and be a good leader.

“We need to identify talent within our organisation and actually nurture that talent, even at the risk of it looking like some people are favoured over others. If people have got the right skills, they should be encouraged to go forward, because we can’t have a situation where somebody might be the most amazing person at passing police promotion processes but is a bad manager.”