Review of front-line policing announced

17 July 2018

Officers are being encouraged to have their say on what could be improved in a review of front-line policing announced today.

The Front-line Policing Review, details of which were announced by police minister Nick Hurd, will seek the views of officers from the rank of constable through to chief superintendent on their operational experience of leadership, professional development and wellbeing.

“This review will give us all the chance to have our say, to suggest where improvements are needed and outline how the challenges we are currently facing could be addressed,” says Tiff Lynch, chair of Leicestershire Police Federation.

“I would urge all members to take advantage of this opportunity to help shape policing strategy after all who could have a better understanding of what needs to change than those officers working on the front-line?”

From September this year, officers and staff will be able to contribute their ideas using a range of existing force-based digital channels. This will then be followed by a series of regional face-to-face engagement sessions where officers and staff will be able to discuss ideas and solutions for improving support and development in policing nationally.

Speaking at the College of Policing’s health and wellbeing event today, Mr Hurd, who is personally sponsoring the review, shared his aspirations to collect front-line feedback and ideas, with a view to ensuring operational experience continues to inform national policing strategy.

The review will publish its recommendations early next year following advice from the minister’s steering group which will include experts from within policing, such as the Police Federation, and also external parties.

Ché Donald, the Federation’s national vice-chair and lead on wellbeing, said the review was welcomed but needed to be meaningful.

“Broadly speaking we are supportive, but only if a tangible positive difference can be made for our members,” Ché explained, “It is no point seeking views and then doing nothing about what they are being told – officers must be listened to otherwise it will be a fruitless exercise. It is good that we have a seat at the table and have been helping to shape the review but we must see action from it.

“Ideally, we would have liked to see demand and capacity included within the remit as this is a key issue for our members but we do welcome the recent interest in officer wellbeing by both the Home Secretary and the Home Office and see this as a positive move in the hope that this will result in improved wellbeing across the police service.”

The Home Secretary announced at this year’s Police Federation conference that he would conduct a review of front-line policing.

More details of the how to submit your views will be announced soon but, in the meantime, if you would like to engage with the review, email FLR@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk for more information.