‘Support not scrutiny’: Fed chair criticises new Home Office unit

19 November 2024

The recent announcement of a new Home Office unit tasked with monitoring police force performance has been met with scepticism by the chair of Dyfed Powys Police Federation.

While acknowledging the need for accountability and performance enhancement in policing, Delme Rees has argued that this initiative misplaces government resources and overlooks critical areas where investment is urgently needed.

His comments come after Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper announced that the new unit will be used to directly monitor police performance, including in high-priority areas such as tackling violence against women and girls, as well as knife crime and neighbourhood policing.

Ms Cooper told of the unit during her speech at today's (Tuesday 19 November) annual conference hosted by the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) and Association for Police and Crime Commissioners.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper.

“The creation of another monitoring body doesn’t address the core issues facing our police forces,” said Delme.

“Performance is already under the microscope through the comprehensive oversight of HMICFRS (His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services). Additionally, any alleged failings are rigorously reviewed by the IOPC (Independent Office for Police Conduct). Introducing a new layer of bureaucracy is not the answer.”

The unit will harness national data to monitor performance and direct improvements, building on the existing work of the College of Policing, policing inspectorate (HMICFRS), NPCC and Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs).

Police data

Officer time spent on the frontline will also be monitored as part of the intelligence drive, drawing on local police data.   

Instead of funding an additional unit, Delme has called for targeted investment in the wellbeing and efficiency of police forces. He highlighted three key areas where government funding would have a direct and meaningful impact: officer pay and recruitment, mental health support and boosting working conditions and improving Force efficiency.

“Our officers work tirelessly under increasing pressure, yet their pay has not kept pace with inflation or the growing demands of the job. A fair and transparent pay review process is essential to retain experienced officers and attract new talent,” he continued.

“I would also suggest the Government invests in improving the working environment for police officers. Policing is one of the most challenging professions, and the mental health toll on officers is significant. Investing in mental health services, better working environments, and streamlined processes - such as improving the timeliness of IOPC investigations - would enhance both morale and productivity.

“And finally, rather than spending money on additional oversight, I would call on the Government to invest more in the services that impact policing. This includes spending money on the Crown Prosecution Service, forensic providers, social services and mental health organisations. If improvements are made in these areas - all of which have a direct impact on the work we do - we will be able to do our job more effectively and efficiently.”

Officers

Delme emphasised that improving working conditions and adequately supporting officers would naturally lead to improved performance. "Our officers are already committed to delivering the best service they can. They need the right resources and support - not more scrutiny.”

The Government hope that the unit, which is the first of its kind in over a decade, will help to rebuild relationships between the public and policing.

In her speech, the Home Secretary said: “This is a critical juncture for the future of policing. If, as a country, we are to remain equipped to fight the fast-changing challenges of today and tomorrow, then we know policing must evolve.

“We have a huge opportunity ahead of us to reset the relationship between government and the police, to regain the trust and support of the people we all serve and to reinvigorate the best of British policing.

“Strong and consistent performance is critical to commanding public confidence. I truly believe that working together we can mobilise behind this mission – and deliver a fairer, safer country for all.”

Police stations

In a TV interview this morning, policing minister Dame Diana Johnson said: “This is the biggest suite of police reform since around the 1960s. 

She said that when she asked to find out how many police stations there were in England and how many officers got injured in the UK riots, ‘nobody had answers’.

“It’s about driving up performance and making sure that every pound we spend, we get really good value for it,” the policing minister continued.

“We are seeing up a national policing body because we think there are things we can do better, at national or regional level.”