A REVIEW into the College of Policing must result in it being more relevant for officers out on the frontline.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
He wants to see the college become more meaningful and have a positive impact on the day to day role of officers.<\/p>\n
It’s a view echoed by South Yorkshire Police Federation Chair Steve Kent.<\/p>\n
“I think the College of Policing needs to take\u00a0a step back from the politics involved, and it needs to focus on more of the\u00a0root causes and issues within policing,” he said.<\/p>\n
“It’s a positive step\u00a0that the national Federation is going to help with the review.<\/p>\n
“We need to move forward and change it. But it’s like we\u00a0say with the IOPC that there needs to be a reform of it, making it more\u00a0relevant.”<\/p>\n
Taking a more practical approach to police officers\u2019 roles rather than focusing on qualifications would be a good place to start, Steve said.<\/p>\n
“Policing isn’t\u00a0necessarily about academic qualifications; it’s about life skills and other skills which can’t be quantified and dealt with by qualifications \u2013 the college needs to become
\nrelevant.”<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n