Federation responds to HMICFRS assessment of police service

12 June 2023

West Midlands Police Federation has responded to a highly-critical report which warned  public trust in the police was “hanging by a thread” in the wake of “scandals and systemic failings”.

Setting out his first annual assessment of policing in England and Wales since he was appointed to the role, chief inspector of constabulary Andy Cooke said the service was at a historic turning point and stressed the need for definitive action instead of “glossy strategies and mission statements”.

Mr Cooke, who served as a police officer for 36 years, insisted the service was not “broken beyond repair” but that there was a “limited window of opportunity” to rebuild public trust.

“Victims are increasingly less satisfied with the way they are treated by the police and the criminal justice system,” he said.

Responding to the report, West Midlands Police Federation chair Rich Cooke said there was no doubt that public trust and confidence had been eroded in recent years and that scandals and criminal activity involving serving officers was bound to have had an impact.

But he said the issue went much deeper with policing strategy, the closure of police stations, politically-driven changes within the criminal justice system and unfair media criticism all playing a significant part in how the police service was viewed.

Rich Cooke warned any review of the police service had to be consistent

Rich said: “We agree with a lot of what the inspector has said. When he talks about recent scandals and the impact they have had on public confidence, that’s true.

“But for every scandal we could tell 100 stories of bobbies putting themselves in harm’s way to protect members of the public.”

Rich said media coverage of policing was unbalanced and had a heavy influence on public perceptions of the service.

He said: “The media has to give some perspective because while we want rid of the wrong’uns and those who are unsuitable - and that has to be done in the right way - there has to be some balance to all this.

“We accept scrutiny but I think the media has got a responsibility to give the appropriate perspective and recognise that the ‘police are the public and the public are the police’ and we will reflect society.”

Rich said the Police Federation had long campaigned for a back-to-basics approach to try to improve community relations and acknowledged West Midlands Police was moving in that direction under the new chief constable.

“Under austerity we centralised services and got further and further away from the public and we’ve also had station closures, which we opposed, so the visible presence of policing within communities has gone,” he said.

“It’s not all about the number of officers, it’s about creating a sense that the authorities are present so when you remove the local police station that has a big psychological impact on the community.”

Rich said calls for sweeping reforms to police conduct and disciplinary regulations and handing more powers to the Home Secretary, chief constables and police and crime commissioner often appeared ill thought-out and unrealistic but accepted change was required.

He said: “Fundamentally we have got to have a discussion about what the police actually do which is why we have called for a Royal Commission on policing.

“If the whole system needs a root-and-branch review it has to be consistent.”