Too many police chiefs? - A review of police strength and costs in England & Wales 2010
Concluding Summary
CHIEF POLICE OFFICERS & SENIOR MANAGEMENT TEAMS
Sir Hugh Orde, President of ACPO has said that he would welcome a Royal Commission on policing, which would be the first of its kind since 1964, suggesting such a review is well overdue. Such a commission would hopefully uncover the details of the activities that have led to bring senior officers into disrepute. Having covered the senior officer strength issue, there are essential reforms required in the operational and financial areas of senior management.
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All performance target, crime reduction and detection related bonuses should cease immediately, with a full “open book” exposure of exactly how much this has involved since they were introduced, so that a cost saving figure can be established.
A revised and rigid system concerning legitimate expenses incurred should be introduced. Perks that bring the rank and force into disrepute, such as swanky alternative accommodation, “golden handcuff retention payments”, spousal and additional car funding, homes, paying benefit in kind tax payments as detailed previously should cease immediately, with a tighter common sense set of regulations put in place to prevent similar transgressions and unnecessary costs.
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A tighter set of regulations should be created making it a disciplinary offence for officers to engage in politically biased conduct. A set of formal guidelines would need to be created to enable this. ACPO officers should of course be free to discuss operational matters with the Government of the day and the media, but these discussions should be restricted to non political , operational policing issues.
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Current systems of recording should be scrutinised and simplified to produce accurate information that can be trusted. A disciplinary and potentially criminal offence (if an incentive is received) should be created if officers pervert the course of recorded crime and detection levels by mismanagement or manipulation of the information. This is crucial if confidence in the police recording systems is to be restored.
• Officers should not be recruited to a rank above constable without having served a determined period within the rank. For example, recruiting personnel directly into managerial capacity from the private sector, without ever having experienced life at the lower ranks. High flyer schemes work most effectively when the candidate has experienced a sensible period at a lower rank. Without this measure, senior officers will not command respect of their juniors, which will result in crumbling discipline and morale.
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Chapter 6
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