PCC Clare Moody responds to comments on police reform

“The Government has made a welcome commitment to rewiring the state.  However, I do not believe that intent is met by having greater centralisation of all policing structures, as suggested by a London based police leader today.

A consensus can be built for reform but this involves policing being part of the wider devolved structures that are being developed.  I welcome the commitment to reforming policing and the creation of a National Police Service to achieve much-needed economies of scale and reduce duplication. However, I do not believe that reducing policing in England and Wales to eight to ten regional forces is the right answer.  

Aligning policing boundaries with those of local authorities, health services and other partners is key to delivering the best possible service to the public. Reform offers a unique, once-in-a-generation opportunity to achieve this, but it must not leave policing divorced from communities and democratic accountability. 

I know from colleagues and my own conversations around the country that there is not a consensus inside policing behind the proposal presented today.  The future shouldn’t be determined by those who shout the loudest but through careful consideration of what will provide the best service for victims and residents.

That consideration must include how reform is funded.  We’re already funding regional policing capabilities, in some cases at the expense of local policing, so all reform must be centrally funded. Any significant transition programme must be properly funded, or we risk a decline in the service to the public as policing turns its attention inwards and towards structures that face up and away from the front line.

The case for reform is strong. But reform must be built around effective partnerships, strong local accountability and better outcomes for the public, rather than assuming structural change alone will deliver the improvements people want to see.”