Blunkett Urges Overhaul of 43 Police Forces as 8 Chief Constables Face Discipline
Updated
Updated · bbc.co.uk · Jul 4
Blunkett Urges Overhaul of 43 Police Forces as 8 Chief Constables Face Discipline
3 articles · Updated · bbc.co.uk · Jul 4
Summary
Lord Blunkett said police leadership in England and Wales needs an “ethical reset” before a report due Monday warns of a fundamental overhaul across the service.
Eight former or serving chief constables are under disciplinary action or awaiting outcomes, he said, citing that tally across 43 forces as evidence of deep leadership and culture problems.
The Blunkett-Herbert review for the College of Policing will recommend root-and-branch changes to recruitment, development and monitoring, while also flagging low morale, scarce resources and excessive paperwork.
Leadership concerns already show in inspections: none of the 43 forces was rated outstanding, almost a third needed improvement and two were judged inadequate.
Blunkett also rejected “culture wars” in policing, saying public confidence has fallen and officers must not “take sides” amid arguments over alleged two-tier policing.