College of Policing review: have your say

24 March 2021

Officers are being urged to take part in a fundamental review of the College of Policing and its role within the police service, nearly a decade after it was established.

The college’s new chair, Nick Herbert (Lord Herbert of South Downs), says he wants to ensure it meets its potential and that it has value across the service.

Tony Wetton, chair of Derbyshire Police Federation, is encouraging members to take part in the review and have their say.

“We all have our own thoughts on the College of Policing and now’s the time to voice them. Federation members are best placed to identify what is valuable college work and what needs improvement,” says Tony.

“This review is a critical piece of work. I know we’re all busy at the moment and feeling the strain of the pandemic but I really hope officers can take a moment to share their views on the college and contribute to its future development.

“The college is the professional body for policing and is involved in training and development, standards and best practice, so it is essential that it is completely fit for purpose.”

The college says the review will:

• Conduct a fundamental assessment of the college, its role, effectiveness and how it operates alongside other organisations in the policing landscape
• Ensure that, as the professional body for policing, the college is highly valued by every section of policing, from frontline officers to chief constables and police and crime commissioners.

It will consider the college’s role in all aspects of policing and assess how useful people working on the frontline find its services. The review will also look at the relationship between the college and other policing organisations and how well equipped it is to support the police service to deal with future challenges.

Lord Herbert explains: “This is a critical time in policing with the demands and pressures on the service only increasing during the pandemic. I believe the time is right to look at the work that the college does, as well as the place that it occupies in the policing landscape. It’s important that we explore how effective the college is in supporting a police service whose mission has been extended and capability stretched over the last 10 years. 

“I’m keen that we listen to people from across policing, regardless of their rank, grade or role, to find what they want from their College of Policing and help us identify the areas where we need to improve. I’m committed to ensuring that the college stands proudly in the policing landscape to support the service in its mission to protect the public and keep people safe.”

Policing minister Kit Malthouse has also supported the review.

He says: “As plans to recruit 20,000 more police officers continue at pace, I welcome this review, which will enhance support to our hardworking officers and help the college recognise its full potential as the professional body for policing.”

The college is contacting a number of policing organisations – including the National Police Chiefs’ Council, the Police Superintendents’ Association and the Police Federation – to ask for their views. A survey will also seek views from officers and staff working on the frontline while a call for evidence, which will be open until 30 April, has also been issued.

The college will use the feedback it receives to inform a series of recommendations which will be outlined in a report later this summer. 

Have your say by downloading the form below and emailing your views to review@college.pnn.police.uk by 30 April 2021.

College of Policing review – call for evidence (docx) 63.57 KB.